Barry Zito is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was born on May 13, 1978, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and attended the University of Southern California before being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 1999 MLB draft.
Zito made his MLB debut in 2000 and quickly established himself as one of the top pitchers in the league. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2002 after posting a 23-5 record with a 2.75 ERA and 182 strikeouts. He was also named to the All-Star team three times during his tenure with the Athletics.
In 2007, Zito signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, which at the time was the largest contract ever given to a pitcher. However, he struggled during his first few seasons with the team, posting a 4.55 ERA in 2007 and a 5.15 ERA in 2008.
Despite his struggles, Zito remained a key member of the Giants' pitching staff and helped lead the team to a World Series championship in 2012. He pitched a crucial Game 5 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, allowing only one run over 5 2/3 innings.
Zito's career began to decline after the 2012 season, and he was eventually released by the Giants in 2013. He signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics in 2015 but was released before the start of the season.
Throughout his career, Zito was known for his unique pitching style, which relied heavily on his curveball. He also played guitar and released a music album in 2017.
Overall, Zito had a successful career in Major League Baseball, finishing with a record of 165-143 and a 4.04 ERA. He was a three-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner, and a World Series champion.
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