Barry Zito: Play That Funky Music

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.

Zito cannot continue to throw his fastball at its current state. He must develop a sinker by either dropping his arm angle or changing the grip. A cutter would also be a simple and effective way for him to record more outs against right-handers. Another suggestion would be for him to develop a split-finger fastball. It is by no means an easy pitch to master, but it is effective in inducing ground balls.

However, the main theme that should catch Zito’s eye should he watch Glavine, Pettite, Rogers or Moyer is that they all pound the strike zone. Zito will never be an effective pitcher if he continues to fall behind to Major League hitters.

Zito has been quoted in interviews this season saying that he is “really close” or that he is “almost there”, but that is stubborn thinking. Only a handful of players and musicians have done the exact same thing for their entire careers.

Freaks like Nolan Ryan relied on his heater into his mid-40’s and Mariano Rivera has thrown the same 95mph cutter his entire life, but even he is developing a very good sinker. Roger Clemens was a model for consistency, but these last few months have certainly changed that perception. Definitely still a freak though.

Zito should focus, first and foremost, on creating movement with his fastball. Right now, hitters are teeing off on his very flat heater. Secondly, his old bread and butter was the big 12-6 curveball. With his reduced velocity, he cannot snap the curve anymore. It rolls rather than bites, so this pitch is no longer Major League quality. His second pitch should be the changeup with the occasional curve mixed in. Lastly, toying with a splitter or slider would not be a bad idea.

Zito will never win 23 games in a season or another Cy Young, but he can pitch effectively in the Majors. He is cerebral enough to realize that the old Zito is gone forever, but that does not mean his career is over. There have been numerous pitching mid-life crises and many have made the adjustment like Hoffman and Sutter and have gone on to have successful careers.

However, if Zito stubbornly hangs on to the past, he might as well hire a song writer and begin the music career.