Babes of : Giants Barry Zito

Written by Nadine Toren

Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

It’s a girl’s day-dream come true; taking a left as you walk into Scottsdale Stadium‘s main entrance, entering a door just across from the Giants gift-shop, going down two flights of stairs, and embarking on a room full of 63 players just ending practice and washing up.

It’s exactly what you’d imagine.

Lockers lining the Clubhouse stocked with bats, balls, and brand new baseball gear. It was a tough assignment, as I tried to stay focused on my task at hand, but it was admittedly hard to ignore the guys nonchalantly undressing out of the their Spring Training work-out clothes, and into their day-time ensemble.

Among those getting all cleaned up after a sunny Scottsdale morning, was left-handed Giants pitcher, Barry Zito. He then became my next victim in my “Babes of Baseball” series of articles in lieu of Spring Training.

“Scottsdale is a breath of fresh air. It’s a nice change from Los Angeles where I live in the off-season,” said Giants pitcher Barry Zito.

The well-known Giant is happy to be back in the Valley of the Sun, and he‘s surely no stranger to Scottsdale. He’s been with the San Francisco team for four years, and kicked off his career on the Oakland A’s.

“I grew up playing ball,” said Zito.

The 32 year old was born in Sin City, and raised by a show-biz couple who met and married while working for Nat King Cole.

“My mom sang for Nat. Music was always around; jazz, classical. It’s still the beat of my heart.”

But at a young age, Zito found another pastime that made his heart skip a beat: baseball.

He moved to at age six, and while he was raised a boogie-boarding beach kid, Zito took to training at 12 years old.

The sporty superstar learned his skills by former San Diego Padre, , practicing weekly with his childhood idol.

“He was famous for spitting tobacco on my shoes when I would screw up, so we tried to minimize mistakes.”

Luckily, all those tobacco-spitting threats paid off.

Zito is now part of a winning team.

“It was surreal. I think a lot of the guys didn’t really comprehend the impact until we got home. That’s when things really set in; when you realized how important it is to your career and to the city of San Francisco.”

During his first couple seasons, Zito lived in San Francisco’s Marina District, often frequenting Bobo’s, a savvy little steakhouse.

He now has a place in Marin County, but plans on planting roots in Northern California’s Pacifica.

“I like to live by the ocean.”

1 / 2 Babes of Baseball: Giants Pitcher Barry Zito

Written by Nadine Toren

Sorry ladies, but Zito enjoys long walks on the beach and savoring the sunset with his girlfriend of seven months. (Even though he’s known her for three years.)

However, he was still willing to share his must-have in a misses.

“I look for someone who is comfortable in their own skin and they don’t change who they are when they get around me.”

Zito even sports what he calls “a reminder he’s loved;” an engraved necklace given to him by his girlfriend.

He also considers himself a romantic, treating his lady to good food and good wine.

But what undoubtedly captured his girlfriend’s heart was his musical talent.

When Zito’s not playing ball, he’s playing the guitar.

“Stevie Wonder is a big influence of mine.”

He writes his own music, and is even involved in charity work.

Zito launched a non-profit for injured marines called “ for Troops.”

He donates money for every he throws, and 100% of funds raised support wounded troops and their families.

He’s the good-doing heart-throb eager for another successful Giants season, keeping his fingers crossed the country will be celebrating “The City by the Bay” once again.

“I try to stay in routine but not be superstitious.”

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