The Oakland Athletics called up pitcher Barry Zito last week, which pleased many A’s fans. Zito is a beloved veteran who came up through the Athletics’ farm system and pitched in Oakland’s starting rotation from 2000 – 2006. Zito was part of a powerful rotation along with Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. These three pitchers were fondly known as “The Big Three”.
When Zito was called up this September, it quickly became known that he would be sent to the bullpen. Since he was on the disabled list for the final month of the Minor League season with left shoulder tendinitis, his pitch count was not high enough for the A’s to feel comfortable sticking him in the rotation.