Barry Zito’s Classy Farewell to San Francisco

Kelley L Cox – USA TODAY Sports

Giants hurler won final start in facing rival Dodgers.

In typical classy Barry Zito manner, the San Francisco lefty bid farewell to the fans of the San Francisco Giants by taking out a full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle.

This past season, Zito played his final guaranteed year under the terms of his 7 year, $126MM deal that brought his across the bay from Oakland. There is an option for 2014, but nary a soul would figure the Giants will be picking up that $18MM. They will certainly opt to give Zito the $7MM buyout instead. The deal could likely go down as one of baseball’s biggest albatrosses.

During his seven-year Giants career, Zito will finish with a record of 63-80 and an ERA of 4.62. In only one season did he post a wining percentage over .500 (15-8, 2012). He did manage a “W” in his last start, defeating the rival Dodgers, 6-4. Zito went five innings, allowing a pair of runs (one earned) on five hits. He also tossed a final third of an inning during the Giants season finale against the San Diego Padres. He registered a four-pitch strikeout.

Prior to joining the Giants, Zito spent seven seasons as a member of the Oakland Athletics, Zito was 102-63 with an ERA of 3.55. Zito won the AL Cy Young in 2002 after posting a 23-5 record, and ERA of 2.75 and WHIP of 1.134.