By Mark Cooper
In his opening start of 2006, Barry Zito didn’t look prepared. He wasn’t following through on his pitches, his control was terrible, and at times he just looked lost on the mound. The climax of his night was his final pitch, a hanging curve over the center of the plate that reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez walloped over the left center fence for a grand slam. Michael Kay said it best for both the ball and for Zito; “Seee Ya!”. Zito’s final stat line provided some gaudy numbers; in 1 1/3 innings pitched, he gave up 7 runs, all earned, on 4 hits, 4 walks, and 1 home run, the grand slam by A-Rod. Although Zito was out there a long time (59 pitches), it was the shortest outing of his career in terms of innings. This start brings up the question, is Zito overrated? There are many people who take him as ace, which he isn’t. He also is mistaken for a Cy Young caliber pitcher because of his 2002 season, where he won the trophy.