While just about everybody aside from Barry Zito’s financial advisor is raining criticism on the soft-tossing lefty, all is not lost. Those that have followed Zito’s career know that he is a musician and a connoisseur of all things melodic. He should know that longevity in the music business is all about reinventing oneself over the years. Zito simply needs to reinvent himself as a pitcher.
After all, Zito is not the first pitcher to lose velocity. Stars such as Tom Glavine, Kenny Rogers and Jamie Moyer all had relatively good velocity for lefties but have had to make adjustments as they continue to pitch into their 40’s.
Perhaps the two best examples of reinvention are Bruce Sutter and Trevor Hoffman. Both pitchers were flame throwers early in their careers, but were the most unhittable when their fastballs dipped into the mid-80’s. For Sutter, it was the invention of the split-finger fastball that catapulted him into the Hall of Fame. As for Hoffman, that Bugs Bunny changeup is what aided him in saving more games than any other pitcher ever.
Just as Bob Dylan reinvented himself to be more of a country singer with his album, Modern Times, Barry Zito needs to develop a new identity that can sustain him for the rest of his career. Dylan had not had a #1 album since 1976, and because of his changing voice, recognized that he needed to explore a different genre to remain relevant. Modern Times debuted at the #1 spot in 2006.
Having Barry Zito continue to toe the rubber with a flat 84mph fastball and hanging curve is a lot like Def Leopard or Poison thinking that they can sell out Wembley Stadium today. The Oakland Zito and 80’s hair bands will forever reside in the past. The San Francisco Zito must accept what he is and figure out a new way to deceive hitters.
How can Zito emulate the career of U2 and not that of MC Hammer? By taking copious notes of lefties with similar stuff.
Zito has always been a guy who tinkers with his delivery ad nauseum, but rather than fiddling with mechanics, he should emulate the Glavines and Pettites of the world. Glavine was a guy who used to throw in the low 90’s with Atlanta, but as he lost velocity, he worked hard on his changeup. Currently, Glavine may not crack 84mph but he can defeat any team in the Majors on any given night with a steady diet of changeups away, fastballs in and out and the occasional sweeping curve.
Pettite, Kenny Rogers and Al Leiter are lefties that feature terrific cut fastballs. They use their cutters to jam right-handers and then use their off speed pitches away to keep hitter off balance. Their velocity may have diminished, but a cut fastball has a way of looking faster than it is to a hitter when thrown correctly.
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8 months ago
If Zito doesn't improve over the year maybe the Giants sould form a record label over the off season, sign Zito to that and use it to recoup some of their losses :p
8 months ago
I'm a big fan of Christopher's recommendation...get Zito on a Giant record label! Meanwhile, Michael, how is the $80,000.00 offer coming from the Giants to fill a spot on the rotation?
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