Here is the opening to my Sunday column. It explores the Barry Zito never-ending dilemma and then asks who is absolutely essential to the future of the Giants: Barry Zito has got to go. He may pitch OK on Monday night at home against the Padres. He does pretty well at home, but teams routinely beat his brains out on the road. In his previous start, he gave up eight earned runs in 4» innings in Pittsburgh. You watch this… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Friday column about Giants’ starting pitching: SAN FRANCISCO – You can read these words on the Giants’ post-game notes from their 5-2 win on Thursday, breaking a three-game losing streak to the A’s: “Barry Zito threw 6.0 quality innings, allowing just one run on three hits.” It’s the phrase “quality start” that causes a frog the size of a hippo to form in your throat. Quality start, seriously? Well, sure, technically it was quality.… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Thursday column about Barry Zito shutting out the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday: SAN FRANCISCO Change Barry Zito’s name to Barry Zero. Zero has a good ring to it and it’s appropriate because Zito/Zero has given up, get this, no runs in two starts this season, as in zero, as in 0.00 earned run average. As in zilch. Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum wish they could change their names to Zero. But they can’t. Here… Read More »
Here is the opening to my column about Barry Zito’s stellar performance in Game 5 of the NLCS: ST. LOUIS It’s because of Barry Zito this series is moving back to San Francisco. It’s because of Zito there’s still a series to move. Take a moment to celebrate Zito. He had to win Game 5 of this NLCS, hard enough when he was pitching against the Cardinals in St. Louis. But he didn’t merely win. He pitched 7» innings of… Read More »
I listened to the top of the first on Cardinals radio. Twice the announcers said Zito will pitch Game 4. Really? I checked with Giants PR. A guy said, “That’s news to Boch. He hasn’t announced anything yet.” That’s what I thought.
It just occurred to me the Giants have won Zito’s last 12 starts in a row.
So much for Zito’s big moment. Zito lasted 2 2/3, gave up two runs. Bad. But the Giants lead 3-2.
It is 3:45 pm Eastern and Barry Zito, as is his custom, is in the outfield throwing a baseball. I’ve seen him do this his whole career. He starts with short toss to a catcher near the right field line. Then Zito moves progressively farther away and makes longer throws. Zito is now in center field. So I see a man on his own getting ready for an incredibly big start, one that could provide lots of redemption in San… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Tuesday column about Barry Zito and the Giants: CINCINNATI — As the sun set over Great American Ballpark on Monday, the discussion between Giants manager Bruce Bochy and the media was 100 percent hypothetical. Try to follow this. If the Giants do not get eliminated from the Division Series when Ryan Vogelsong gets the start in Game 3, then Barry Zito will pitch Game 4 on Wednesday night, another elimination game. When you are… Read More »
If you were putting together the Giants postseason roster today, would you include Barry Zito who just gave up 7 runs to the Mets?
