2012 N.L. Comeback Player of the Year – Barry Zito
That’s right. I said Barry Zito, and I meant it. I know I’m going against the grain on this one, because many fans consider Giants All-Star catcher Buster Posey a lock for this award, especially in San Francisco. I see their point. At the age of 24, with a Rookie of the Year Award and a World Series Championship just under his belt, Posey was involved in a brutal collision at the plate on May 26th, 2011 that caused a broken left leg and torn ligaments, ending his season. Many wondered if he would be the same player upon his return.
As I write this it’s been about sixteen months since that fateful night, and Buster Posey has come back stronger than ever. He’s been fine in the field where he is a very good catcher who fields well and calls a very good game,and at first base, where he plays periodically to ease any strain on his legs. And he’s a monster with the bat who hits for a high average and has tremendous home run power.
Now on to Barry Zito. He came over to the San Francisco Giants as a free agent at the start of the 2007 season to be the next face of the franchise, a proven, quality, former American League Cy Young Award winner, and the recipient of a huge, seven-year, $126 million contract. Fan expectation was sky high. Then the season started, and the air immediately came out of the balloon. In short, while he continued to look great on his baseball cards, including this 2011 Topps issue, on the mound, Barry Zito was a bust.
To his credit Zito never made any excuses for his performance and continued to work hard as the sub par seasons, listed below, continued to mount:
Season Wins Losses ERA
2007 11 13 4.53
2008 10 17 5.15
2009 10 13 4.03
2010 9 14 4.15
2011 3 4 5.87
Which brings us to Zito’s 2012 season. April brought three quality starts, a shutout and a win. May followed with three quality starts, all resulting in wins. Yes, there were some clunkers sprinkled in between, but by the All Star break Giants fans no longer had negative expectations. Combining his numbers for July and August, Zito won 4, lost 2 and had four no decisions. Adding his sole October start to those from September, our man threw 35.2 innings and gave up 12 earned runs to post a 3.03 ERA. Even better, the Giants won his last eleven starts of the season. All told, he won 15, lost 8 and fashioned a 4.15 ERA.
Returning briefly to Buster Posey, at the age of 25, with his strength and recuperative abilities at their zenith, it is not surprising that he has continued on the trajectory he established during his sensational rookie season of 2010. His MVP-caliber performance during this season is sensational, but clearly, not surprising. It is now apparent that last year’s injury did nothing to his performance other than to shut it down. Now fully healthy, it’s obvious to one and all that he didn’t have any performance issues to come back from.
Conversely, Barry Zito, 34 years old, has persevered, and after five disappointing seasons, is resurgent. His turnaround is completely unexpected and a delightful surprise for Giants Nation. Barry Zito is richly deserving of the National League’s Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Zeets! He had a great year (for Zito). Therein lies the problem with your argument, Michael: You’re comparing 2012 Zito to 2007-’11 Zito and the bar just isn’t that high I guess. Still, I like that you’re giving him props!
Buster will certainly garner more votes than Zito and you also can’t forget about Ryan Ludwick or Adam LaRoche. Posey for the win.
Thank you for your response, Troy. Upon reflection, I reluctantly agree with your comments about Barry Zito. I guess I have a soft spot in my heart for a good guy who has struggled for a long time.
However, even though he will in all likelihood win the award, I still believe my thoughts about Buster Posey are valid.
Good luck to the Giants in the playoffs, Troy.
~ Grubby.
It is nice to see Zito persevere and enjoy some success. I would say, though, that he was essentially the same pitcher he was just two years ago when he posted a 9-14 record. In 2010 and 2012, he posted an ERA of 4.15 in both seasons. I’m guessing better run support this year helped him achieve that 15-8 record.
I’d give the award to the Nats Adam LaRoche, who raised his batting average 100 points over last year, and who’s 33 homers and 100 RBI went virtually unnoticed.
In the end, though, I’d say that Posey will probably win it, as well as probably also winning the league MVP award.
It’ll be interesting to see how Zito performs in the playoffs, assuming he gets to pitch. That Giants staff is pretty deep.
Nice post,
Bill
Thank you for your remarks, Bill. I find myself agreeing with all of them, and realizing in my desire to have Barry Zito win the award that I had my blinders on. Maybe I should contact you and Troy before I pick my A.L. Comeback Player of the Year!
So if Zito doesn’t get it, and considering my thoughts about Buster Posey’s return to greatness, I’d like the award to go to Adam LaRoche, whose return to form helped the Nationals win the N.L. East.
I too am wondering about how Zito, AND Timmy, will pitch in the playoffs. I’m certain both will be watched very closely, and the Giants bullpen will be active at the first hint of trouble. I’m also hoping there won’t BE any trouble.
Kindest Regards Bill,
Michael… er, I mean Grubby.
I could not agree with you more. Zito has fought himself and his opponents to finally have a good year for the Giants. I knew that he had it within himself to do well, and he has. He gets the props. I think that his contract has become an albatross around his neck. The contract is not who he is. If someone offered you $18 million @ year to do your job, wouldn’t you take it? Zito has handled everything well. And I hope that he’ll do great in the playoffs. Go Zito!! Go Giants!!
Sounds good to me, Charles. Maybe I got it right after all. I’m sure we’ll see shortly after the World Championship is settled. And I agree… Go Zito! Go Giants!