Zito once won the Cy Young award as the best pitcher in the American League. Over the last two season's he has been the worst pitcher in the National League. His repertoire of 84 mph fastballs and suicide curves (because they hang) are hardly impressive and it's time something is done about it. If any other pitcher on the staff put up such embarassing numbers they would be shipped to Fresno and welcomed to the Pacific Coast League. In Zito's case this is not an option because of his guaranteed contract. Why?
What would be wrong with sending the guy down? Does the Giants offense really NEED to know every 5th day they will have to score 6 runs or more to win a game? Who cares if Zito makes so much money, let him be Fresno's most eligible bachelor and give the good fans of San Francisco a break. Trust me, they will not miss him and if you want to know the truth, it would be much easier to see Brad Hennessey lose 15 games than the highest paid guy on the team. Giant's fans have historically been some of the most forgiving fans in all of sports. Just ask the other Barry. With that said, enough is enough. Zito is not helping the team at all. The only team Zito helps is my fantasy league because I make sure to start hitters facing the Giants on Zito's games.
"These hands can't pitch anymore."
The only good news in this is that Zito has another 5 years with his contract. That is only good because he still has a chance to find what it was that made him an elite pitcher. If he can lead the Giants to a post season or playoff win, all his troubles will be forgotten. Until then he is making a mockery of the free agent system, Giant's GM Brian Saeban, and any fan that wears orange and black. Congratulations guys, that $6.50 hot dog is paying for 15 losses and a plus 5.00 ERA. It would be great if Zito can find his groove again but it's obvious he won't find it in the majors. Send him down, make him hungry for the show again, and stop waving the worst baseball signing in history in our faces once or twice a week. -JN
Yasmin Brunet
Jessica Gomes
Championship Game Fans
BCS National Championship Game
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I have to agree with you 100% , we have another Armando Benites on our hands. !
vegas man
Las Vegas , NV
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Don't give up on him, J&J!!--you can't ignore what he's done in the past month or two, and you certainly can't trade him. He may well have learned how to use that 84mph fastball to good effect...and I think that the "6 runs" comment may not be true--other writers have shown that he's pretty successful with four runs, but this is a little more than the 1 run he receives, more often than not...
Balk!!
Charlottesville , VA
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I would love nothing more than to eat my words and have Zito dominate the rest of his years in SF. I'm just not sure he can. He has been pitching well in the 2nd half and would have benefited from better run support, yes. But, when you get paid record money to be the ace of the staff your expectations are held a little higher. I think you are right and he is learning to pitch with a weaker fastball, Greg Maddux has done it for years. He has also proved he still has the ability to dominate games as he has shown a few times the last couple months. The question is when will he do it the majority of the time? The team is paying him way to much to pitch like a number 4 or 5 starter. IF, IF Barry Zito can pitch up to his contract and the Giants add just enough offense to sneak into the playoffs over the next few years, you have to love their chance in a playoff series throwing out Lincecum, (a good) Zito, and Cain.
JNeel
Galt , CA
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Zito has too big of an ego to ever try to become a Jimmy Key, Greg Maddux, or Moyer. Go to www.knbr.com (9-7-08) and listen to the podcast with him and Gary Radnich. Zito claims that he was the Tim Lincecum of baseball six years ago. If you don't believe me, go listen to it yourself.
jayberwanger
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