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Big League Stew

Thu Dec 18, 2008 3:21 pm EST

On Barry Zito, Christmas and helping Toys for Tots stage a rally

By 'Duk

We've had some fun with the not-so-many faces of Barry Zito this season, but I absolutely love this shot from the Giants' holiday party on Wednesday. If the looks on the faces of Zito and these underprivileged kids don't warm you up a bit, it's probably time for a marathon session of It's A Wonderful Life — or at least an exorcism of your inner seasick crocodile. 

While we're on the topic of Christmas and charity, I'd like to point out that the situation over at Toys for Tots is not a good one this year. With the economy being the way it is, demand is up, but donations are down. Here in Chicago, they're still about 250,000 toys away from what they handed out in 2007 and they'll probably need even more. As such, I'm calling it an early day here on the Stew so that I can go out to Target before the storm arrives and help bolster the toy bins with as many toys as I can afford.

If you're out shopping over the weekend, please consider throwing an extra item in your cart for someone out there who needs it. Everything must be new and no guns or stuffed animals will be accepted. If you're busy and would simply make a donation, you can do that too. The Marines are then able to buy toys the tax-free route.

Remember: What we do today can make all the difference in the life of a child a week from now. Happy holidays, everyone!

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66 Comments

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  1. Jay Mac
    1. Posted by Jay Mac Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    NOW Finally there is a good cause to spend your money on. Not some stat geek who runs a website as a hobby.
    http://www.toysfortots.org/
  2. Matt
    2. Posted by Matt Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    Zito's career ERA against Toys for Tots?
    8.37
    So I'd expect a rally.
  3. SixPackofSprite
    3. Posted by SixPackofSprite Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT

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    This is what baseball needs. I'd like to say a big G-d Bless to all of the ball players who spend their time and money like the rest of pll that can afford it. Have a Happy Holidays every1!!
  4. Nick P
    4. Posted by Nick P Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    #2 - Matt, that is one of THE FUNNIEST things I've read on a response on this page. Freaking hi-lar-i-ous!
  5. Nick P
    5. Posted by Nick P Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    #2 - Matt, that is one of THE FUNNIEST things I've read on a response on this page. Freaking hi-lar-i-ous!
  6. Brian M
    6. Posted by Brian M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:08 pm EDT

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    Matt... I'm a Zito fan and that made me chuckle.
  7. backpacker
    7. Posted by backpacker Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    The Giants ought to try out one of these kids and the first one that can throw harder than Zito, sign him up and dump Zito. Even though the Giants didn't trade for Zito, signing him was as bad as when the Giants traded George Foster for Frank Duffy or when they traded Gaylord Perry for Sudden Sam McDowell. Horrible decisions made on the Giants' part. Zito is just plain pathetic.
  8. ¹ÎÀçÁ
    8. Posted by ¹ÎÀçÁ Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

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    A rare sight indeed: a smiling Zito in a GIants uniform.
    He looks better in those jeans though.
  9. Youdamanrp
    9. Posted by Youdamanrp Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    good for zito, he may be a waste of money, but at least he's giving some of it back to the ones that need it most. I do applaud him for all of his temendious help for the community, keep it up zito!
  10. fuquamanuel
    10. Posted by fuquamanuel Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

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    @ matt...lmfao
  11. Linda O
    11. Posted by Linda O Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    Barry Zito is a great pitcher who gives alot to the community. Anybody who trashes him needs to see this photo.
  12. Rob F
    12. Posted by Rob F Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Not enough stories like this in the world of sports. I know there are a lot of charities and organizations run by, and donated to by, pro athletes. But you never hear about them. I guess its just more popular to talk about the "bad boys" than the rest. Good move by Zito and the Giants.
  13. LEU
    13. Posted by LEU Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    Zito has always been and always will be a "good guy"...... true, he may never get close again
    to his CY Young year but I hope he does good as long as it isnt against the Oakland A's !
    it's never been a lack of effort in his part and as for ALL that money...... heck, how many folks
    have turned down a "raise" at work..............
  14. jakethesnake
    14. Posted by jakethesnake Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    Always nice to see a athlete giving back.. hope he turns his pitching woes around this season
  15. PeterN
    15. Posted by PeterN Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

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    Maybe if they didn't let in juvenile Borg, there'd be enough toys to go around for the human tots.
  16. Wes H
    16. Posted by Wes H Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

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    It looks like the kids like the Seal more than they do Zito. They must be knowlegable fans. The least that the Giants could have done was sent Lincecum or Cain, instead of their biggest piece of deadweight.
    Well, I do give Zito a little bit of credit. You'd never see Barry Bonds in a situation like that (actually doing something for free to benefit others).
  17. kevin
    17. Posted by kevin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    Ya its pretty easy to be happy when youve pulled of a 120 million dollar heist!
  18. chi town boy
    18. Posted by chi town boy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:01 pm EDT

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    we should be like barry zito and give what we can..
    forget the 08 season ..just step up to the plate and give anything you can..
    now that will make you the m v p
  19. hit man
    19. Posted by hit man Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:25 pm EDT

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    Zito is still a garbage pitcher who is trying to make the giants fans forget his horrible pitching with this stunt!!!!!! Heh,heh.
  20. Scott
    20. Posted by Scott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Zito will have a good year in 2009, he started to come around the second half of last year. He is just thankful he's not playing in front of the 8-9,000 crowds across the bay.
  21. Luis
    21. Posted by Luis Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    Yes Zito's record for the Giants is bad, no doubt. But he is in a postion to give and he does. He also has a great charity for the Troops and I appreciate it being with me being a Soldier. It's painful as a Giants fan to see him strugle but the Giants have bigger problems than just Zito. In the end I want to say thanks for giving back Zito. God Bless.
  22. Luis
    22. Posted by Luis Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    Oh yeah, Matt #2, that was funny.
  23. NAT
    23. Posted by NAT Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

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    Y can't he just b like Jason Taylor & say he's not worth his contract? I bet a minor leaguer for $500,000 could do the same frickin' thing tht he did, suck. I'd respect him & other athletes more, tht don't live up 2 their contracts, if they did something more useful w/ their "extra" money (Mike Hampton, Carl Pavano, & Chan Ho Park 2 name a few).
  24. Randy
    24. Posted by Randy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    How can anyone trash Zito in an article like this. Sure he hasn't lived up to his contract, but last I checked, he didn't force the Giants to make the offer. Second, anyone who says this is a PR stunt to improve his rep is an ignorant pr**k. He started doing charity work before he left Oakland, with his K's for the troops. He is also a genuine, down to earth guy, which is something baseball needs with clowns like A-Rod and Manny getting all the attention. Just be happy and grateful that baseball has guys like Zito. He doesn't just do this because it's the holidays, he does it year round. They should publicize this stuff more often.
  25. tank
    25. Posted by tank Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

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    he may not be worth half the contract he signed for at the moment but to see photos like this is great. Sports stars as well as other overpaid celebrities may not owe it to the public, but when there is a person who "gets it" like Zito has throughout his career, good for him, good for those he helps in life....other such sports celebrities...Derek Lee, Albert Pujols, Kerry Wood, Mike Holmgren, Mia Hamm, Grant Hill, Andre Agassi, Tony Larussa to only name a few. I dont know whats it like to earn on average 20 times more than the president of the US a year to play sports but I do know when I help a friend out it makes me feel good even though it may only be with a months rent or even some small gifts. These are the true superstars

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Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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