Zito taking aim at single-season loss record

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Barry Zito has a chance to have a record-breaking 2008 season – and for his part, he says he will strive to achieve it.

The modern record for single season losses is 27, set by Paul Derringer in 1933, when he pitched for both the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds. Derringer may have had a bit of bad luck, however, as his 3.30 ERA was actually better than the league average of 3.41 that year. The overall single-season loss record of 48 was set by John Coleman in 1883 for the Philadelphia Quakers. That season, Coleman pitched 538 innings and completed 59 of his 61 starts.

Today, Zito will not get nearly that many opportunities, so 48 losses is simply not an achievable mark. But 27 certainly is, and Zito is aiming for it.

“You know, it would be really special for me to set a major record like that,” he said. “We have such great fans, it would mean a lot to me to be the guy that allows them to witness history again. They got it once with Barry Bonds, and we all saw how they reacted to that – hopefully, I can provide the same type of excitement.”

Zito and his $14,500,000 yearly salary have certainly had their share of exciting moments so far in 2008. Through 6 starts, Zito sports an 0-6 record, with a 7.53 ERA and a 1.95 WHIP – in other words, he is allowing an average of two base runners per inning. And in his 28 innings of work, he has struck out only 11 batters while walking 15.

Those numbers, along with his 84 MPH fastball, are very promising indicators that Zito can complete his mission and bring a brand new modern record to San Francisco.

“I’m trying not to think about the record right now, because I need my focus to be on the here and now,” said Zito. “All I can do is go out there every fifth day and see what happens. Hopefully, when it’s over, we’ll say it’s been an eventful summer.”

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!