THIS WHOLE BARRY ZITO SITUATION HAS BECOME DOWNRIGHT SAD

by WCT, The Ship of Fools

Darren Dreifort, move over. Chan Ho Park, step aside. Carl Pavano, make room. Kevin Brown, you've got company. On the Mt. Rushmore of lucrative free agent signings that became spectacular failures, it looks like we are going to add another face.

The sad, pathetic saga of overpaid lefty starter Barry Zito has gone from funny, to unfortunate, to, well, back to funny again. But this year it has become just, sad.

First, it was the 2007 Giants spring training, and the "Go Ask Barry!" t-shirt stunt with Barry Bonds, which was mildly amusing (see, they were both named "Barry" and they would stand next to each other wearing the shirts! Get it? Get it??). Already he was endearing himself to his new team with his wacky antics. However, no one was laughing as the $126 million ace was suffering through an 11-13 season, with the worst ERA of his career, on a last place team.

Then we come to this year, when Zito began the year 0-6 and was sent to the bullpen (immediately following starts of 3 2/3 and 3 innings). In retrospect, it would appear as if this banishment to the bullpen was not done so that he can refine his stuff making relief appearances -- as he didn't make any relief appearances -- but to set the rotation up so that Zito would make his next appearance against the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates, and be able to get a win to boost his confidence. Well, he didn't. He pitched well, but was given no run support and lost. In fact, the same can be said for his last three starts, where he has been given a grand total of 5 runs in support, and has gone 0-2 (god, that no-decision must've felt great!).

Tonight, Zito and the Giants take on the surprising Florida Marlins. Zito has lowered his ERA to 6.25 (repeat: lowered his ERA to 6.25) but still can't buy a break (not even for $126 mil! Hiyooo!). He's been pitching his guts out, but his teammates just refuse to score runs in support of him. Tonight, I'm going to pull for the guy, because at this point I feel sorry for him. And answer your question, yes, I realize I just said that I feel sorry for the highest-paid pitcher on earth.