Barry Zito, who spent his entire career pitching for MLB teams in California, is only 42 years old but has led an interesting life on and off the diamond.
Here’s a look at what he’s been up to starting with his baseball career that took him from the Oakland Athletics to the San Francisco Giants and back to the Athletics before retirement.
The Baseball Years
Zito had two separate stints with the Oakland Athletics.
The first was from 2000-2006, and he returned in 2015.
Zito’s best year with the A’s was 2002.
On this day in 2002, Barry Zito won the American League Cy Young Award after going 23-5 with a 2.75 ERA.#CheersToHistory | @coppolawine pic.twitter.com/B2lFAnciiT
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) November 7, 2020
With a record of 23-5, he narrowly edged out Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez to win the 2002 Cy Young Award.
He also finished with the most wins among American League pitchers and was named AL Pitcher of the Year (by Sporting News).
In his first year of eligibility, Zito is on the ballot for the 2021 Hall of Fame.
The 2021 class will be announced on January 26.
It's Barry Zito's first year on the @baseballhall ballot.
Zito put up a solid career by the Bay with the @Athletics and @SFGiants. pic.twitter.com/8cTsEWLA5g
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) November 28, 2020
World Series Championship
Zito left the A’s to join the San Francisco Giants from 2007-2013.
He was an integral part of the Giants 2012 World Series Championship team.
Zito pitched outstanding fall ball, winning all 14 of his starts from August 2 through the World Series.
At 34 years of age, he finally got to pitch in the World Series, in Game 1 no less.
It was a classic pitching duel between Zito and Detroit’s Justin Verlander, and Zito prevailed by only giving up one run.
Strikeouts for Troops
While playing for the A’s, Zito found a nonprofit organization called Strikeouts for Troops.
According to its website, the purpose of the organization is:
“Strikeouts for Troops is a national program which provides some ‘comforts of home’ and also assists with family travel and housing expenses for service members who are being treated at military hospitals.”
Zito admired and praised the men and women of the military.
“Many of our war-wounded are recovering in hospitals far from home and family – I saw this first hand when I recently had the honor of visiting Walter Reed Army Medical Center and spent time with the injured service members. These are the true heroes in uniform.”
Music Career
Zito’s blood line is loaded with accomplished musicians so it’s not surprising that he would venture into music also.
His father, Joe Zito, worked with music icon Nat King Cole as a composer in the early 1960s.
Zito’s mother, Roberta, sang in Nat King Cole’s band.
His sister Sally Zito asked him to play guitar in her band during the offseason which he did from 2000-2007.
During that time, he began writing his own songs.
He released his first EP in January 2017 aptly called No Secrets.
In 2020, he competed on the FOX celebrity game show, The Masked Singer.
Dressed as a rhino, he finished in 4th place.
Barry Zito tells @BrodieNBCS all about his experience on "The Masked Singer" and how he kept his secret the whole time https://t.co/imG9I8Bc0N pic.twitter.com/BYGolAXO7z
— NBCSAuthentic (@NBCSAuthentic) May 20, 2020
Personal Life
Zito married former Miss Missouri Amber Seyer in 2011.
The couple have three sons named Mars, Mercer, and Rome.
Mars is 6, Mercer is 3, and Rome is a newborn.
Mars and Rome are biological, and Mercer is adopted.
A colorful character on and off the field, no one knows what Barry Zito’s next endeavor might be.
NEXT: Insider Highlights A Major Surprise From The Oakland A's
Michael Zito says
As Barry’s 1/2 Brother the “story” isn’t really complete – but it is “focused” –
Joe Zito, our Dad was married to Rose Caiati from 1949, until 1963, having 3 children, Debbie in 1950, Joseph in 1956, and myself (Michael) in 1958..
Our father “mingled” with Nat, where he met Roberta, when she was 19, my father, 33/34 – He left Rose, and married Roberta when they then had Bonnie in 1965 – later they left for the west coast winding up in Vegas….
I re-established contact with my father, and I’m the “Michael” mentioned in his OBIT… It took much time to rebuild our relationship – but there’s more about our family not known than is – However, its never mentioned… Probably for the best, but thought you’d like to know…
Mike
Wendi Oliveros says
Mike, Thank you so much for reading and adding extra background to the story. We appreciate it especially since it comes from someone with personal knowledge.