Photo: MICHAEL MACOR / SFC Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close

Image 2 of 24 2001 — Barry Zito, a year away from his Cy Young, in the dugout during Game 3 of the ALDS between the A's and the Yankees. That year, Zito had a career-high 205 strikeouts. 2001 — Barry Zito, a year away from his Cy Young, in the dugout during Game 3 of the ALDS between the A's and the Yankees. That year, Zito had a career-high 205 strikeouts. Photo: MICHAEL MACOR / SFC

Image 3 of 24 2002 — Zito appears on The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn (Late, indeed. Craig Ferguson took over the program in 2005). 2002 — Zito appears on The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn (Late, indeed. Craig Ferguson took over the program in 2005). Photo: HANDOUT / SFC

Image 4 of 24 2002 — A's pitcher Barry Zito relaxes in his San Francisco home and plays a little guitar. He says he has thought about writing a song about baseball, but mostly he plays just for fun and relaxation. Ah, classic Barry. less 2002 — A's pitcher Barry Zito relaxes in his San Francisco home and plays a little guitar. He says he has thought about writing a song about baseball, but mostly he plays just for fun and relaxation. Ah, ... more Photo: SCOTT SOMMERDORF / SFC

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Image 6 of 24 2002 — Zito at a press conference after he was awarded the American League Cy Young Award. It was an incredible year; he went 23-5 and had a 2.75 ERA, all while sporting frosted tips. 2002 — Zito at a press conference after he was awarded the American League Cy Young Award. It was an incredible year; he went 23-5 and had a 2.75 ERA, all while sporting frosted tips. Photo: LANCE IVERSEN / SFC

Image 7 of 24 2003 — Zito poses in our old "Cars of the Stars" feature. In case you can't tell, his car is a Dodge Durango and that's a jean jacket draped across his knees. Or a skirt. 2003 — Zito poses in our old "Cars of the Stars" feature. In case you can't tell, his car is a Dodge Durango and that's a jean jacket draped across his knees. Or a skirt. Photo: John Storey / SFC

Image 8 of 24 2003 — Here, Zito outduels Roger Clemens in a marquee matchup of the last two AL Cy Young winners, blanking baseball's top-scoring team for eight innings and pitching the Oakland Athletics over the New York Yankees, 2-0. less 2003 — Here, Zito outduels Roger Clemens in a marquee matchup of the last two AL Cy Young winners, blanking baseball's top-scoring team for eight innings and pitching the Oakland Athletics over the New York ... more Photo: GREGORY BULL / AP

Image 9 of 24 2006 — Zito in his photography phase; there are several photos of him taking photos in the Chronicle archive. In this, his final year in Oakland, he posted a 3.83 ERA in 34 games started. 2006 — Zito in his photography phase; there are several photos of him taking photos in the Chronicle archive. In this, his final year in Oakland, he posted a 3.83 ERA in 34 games started. Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice / SFC

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Image 11 of 24 2007 — New San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito holds his jersey as he is introduced at a news conference with general manager Brian Sabean and owner Peter Magowan. HIs seven-year, $126 million deal was the highest for any pitcher in Major League history at the time. less 2007 — New San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito holds his jersey as he is introduced at a news conference with general manager Brian Sabean and owner Peter Magowan. HIs seven-year, $126 million deal was ... more Photo: By Lance Iversen / SFC

Image 12 of 24 2007 — What better way to celebrate signing a $126 million contract than by pretending to be Carlos Santana for the night? No word on how good (or bad) the performance was. 2007 — What better way to celebrate signing a $126 million contract than by pretending to be Carlos Santana for the night? No word on how good (or bad) the performance was. Photo: Kat Wade / SFC

Image 13 of 24 2007 —Barry Zito and Willie Mays share a laugh at a press conference was held at AT&T Park to outline the 2007 All-Star week schedule of events. 2007 —Barry Zito and Willie Mays share a laugh at a press conference was held at AT&T Park to outline the 2007 All-Star week schedule of events. Photo: Kurt Rogers / The Chronicle

Image 14 of 24 2007 — Barry Bonds made t-shirts for himself and Barry Zito. They came out of the dugout and showed them off to the media. Bonus: check out the Ray Durham sighting. 2007 — Barry Bonds made t-shirts for himself and Barry Zito. They came out of the dugout and showed them off to the media. Bonus: check out the Ray Durham sighting. Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice / SFC

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Image 16 of 24 2007 — Barry Zito wipes his brow as he works against his former team, the Oakland Athletics. It was a rough, but not terrible, year for Z. He gave up 105 runs in 196 2/3 innings pitched. 2007 — Barry Zito wipes his brow as he works against his former team, the Oakland Athletics. It was a rough, but not terrible, year for Z. He gave up 105 runs in 196 2/3 innings pitched. Photo: Ben Margot / AP

Image 17 of 24 2008 — The next year was a different story. Zito had a career-high 17 losses and an ERA over five. His 115 runs in 180 innings pitched had many Giants fans bemoaning his enormous contract. 2008 — The next year was a different story. Zito had a career-high 17 losses and an ERA over five. His 115 runs in 180 innings pitched had many Giants fans bemoaning his enormous contract. Photo: Brant Ward / SFC

Image 18 of 24 2009 — All the while, though, Zito kept up his community service efforts. Here, he visits with Miguel Villa Perez, 3, of Sunnyvale at UCSF Children's Hospital in San Francisco. 2009 — All the while, though, Zito kept up his community service efforts. Here, he visits with Miguel Villa Perez, 3, of Sunnyvale at UCSF Children's Hospital in San Francisco. Photo: Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

Image 19 of 24 2011 — Zito helps St. Anthony's celebrate serving their 37th million meal, by lending a hand in the serving line. 2011 — Zito helps St. Anthony's celebrate serving their 37th million meal, by lending a hand in the serving line. Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle

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Image 21 of 24 2011 — With just 13 games started, three wins, a 5.87 ERA and this mustache, 2011 was the low point of Zito's career. A foot injury sidelined him early, and he failed to find a permanent spot in the rotation after his recovery. As a result, however, Ryan Vogelsong became the Giants' newest star. less 2011 — With just 13 games started, three wins, a 5.87 ERA and this mustache, 2011 was the low point of Zito's career. A foot injury sidelined him early, and he failed to find a permanent spot in the rotation ... more Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

Image 22 of 24 2012 — This year he's had his ups and downs, but he's finally showing flashes of the brilliance Giants fans had hoped for. Here, Zito acknowledges a standing ovation from fans as he is removed from the game against the Chicago Cubs on June 3. Zito pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings for his 150th career win. less 2012 — This year he's had his ups and downs, but he's finally showing flashes of the brilliance Giants fans had hoped for. Here, Zito acknowledges a standing ovation from fans as he is removed from the game ... more Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press

Image 23 of 24 2012 — Zito pitches against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 20, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 2012 — Zito pitches against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 20, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Photo: Chris Trotman / Getty Images