Barry Zito: Summary

Recent Role:: Himself on TMZ on TV

Gender:: Male

Birthday:: 5-13-1978

Birthplace:: Las Vegas, Nevada

Birth Name:: Barry William Zito

Beginning with the 2007 season, Barry Zito will pitch for the San Francisco Giants of the National League. Previously, his entire career had been spent as a pitcher for the American League Oakland Athletics, whose budget could not accommodate Zito's price range once he achieved free agency.

Barry was the final member of the �Big Three,� a trio of ace starting pitchers, to leave the A's. Mark Mulder was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and Tim Hudson went to the Atlanta Braves, both after the 2004 season. In 2005, Mychael Urban wrote about Zito and the Big Three in his book, �Aces: The Last Season on the Mound with the Oakland A�s Big Three: Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito.�

Zito graduated from University of San Diego High School in San Diego, California, in 1996. He attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, Pierce Junior College, and USC, where he compiled a 12-3 record in 113.2 innings, maintaining a 3.23 ERA and striking out 154. Zito was picked by the Oakland A�s in the first round of the June 1999 draft, and signed by Rick Magnante. His Major League Baseball debut came on July 22, 2000.

In 2002, Zito won the American League Cy Young Award, with a 23-5 record, 2.75 ERA, and 182 strikeouts. Zito also pitched for the American League All-Star teams in 2002 in Milwaukee, 2003 in Chicago, and 2006 in Pittsburgh.

2006 Season Highlights: During the 2006 All-Star Game at PNC Park, Zito pitched in the bottom of the 5th inning, allowing no hits. On June 16, pitching against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Zito struck out 11 batters, tying his career high. On August 25, starting against the Texas Rangers, Zito picked up his 100th career win, pitching a no-hitter into the 8th inning. His 102 wins for Oakland are the fourth highest in Athletics history. In Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins, Zito allowed one run on four hits to beat AL Cy Young favorite Johan Santana.

Following the 2006 season, Zito filed for free agency and became one of the hottest offseason topics. While the NY Mets and Texas Rangers were once favored in the race for Zito, he ultimately signed with the San Francisco Giants for a 7-year, $126 million contract, with an option for an 8th year. The contract is the highest payout ever for a pitcher, and the biggest in Giants history.

Stats:

Team: San Francisco Giants
Contract: 7 years
Salary: $10 million in 2007
Throws: Left
Bats: Left
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 210 lbs.

Career stats:

Wins - 102
Losses - 63
ERA - 3.55
Games - 222
Complete Games - 9
Shutouts - 4
Hits - 1228
Runs - 620
Earned Runs - 564
Homeruns - 148
Walks - 560
Strikeouts - 1096 Beginning with the 2007 season, Barry Zito will pitch for the San Francisco Giants of the National League. Previously, his entire career had been spent as a pitcher for the American League Oakland Athletics, whose budget could not accommodate Zito's price range once he achieved free agency.

Barry was the final member of the �Big Three,� a trio of ace starting pitchers,...