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I LOVE PLAYING BASEBALL AND RESPECT ITS AMAZING HISTORY...  

Q. What famous hitters in the history of baseball would you like to face?
A: There are three names in baseball history that intrigue me most: Josh Gibson, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth.

Gibson was a larger than life kind of player.  He played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Homestead Grays from 1930-1946.  Eight-hundred home runs?  Just amazing.  I’ve read that some of his home runs were just absolutely crushed.  When you consider that he was a catcher, his ability with the bat becomes all the more impressive.  I’m very happy that he has his just place in the Hall of Fame.

As for Ted, I would have loved to have had the honor to pitch against “The Greatest Hitter That Ever Lived.”  On top of being a San Diego guy like myself, hitting was more than just a passion to him.  It was his craft.  It was a science to him.  He carried that same zeal for it all through his life.  I try to approach pitching with that same kind of attitude.  What I really admire about Ted, though, was his service to our country.  He missed three seasons in the prime of his career during World War II, he missed much of two others while serving Korea and yet his numbers are still among the best ever.  He’s an American hero.

Last but not certainly not least, how could you not pick the Bambino?  There are so many amazing parts of his life and career, and he’s the most dominant figure in the history of the game.  He played a huge role in baseball’s captivating the public, especially after the Black Sox scandal.  With his style and his approach to life, he seemed well before his time.  When you think about the way he just flat dominated all phases of the game, be it at the plate, on the mound, or anything, it’s mind blowing.


Q. What’s more rewarding – Throwing your curve past Alex Rodriguez or getting your first major league hit?
A: Getting my first hit was a special feeling of accomplishment – in my American League days, I definitely didn’t get to make it a usual occurrence.  Needless to say, I am not the best hitter, but now that I’m a National Leaguer, I certainly would like to help my own cause at the plate.  I don’t think my fellow hurlers are trembling right now at the prospect of me with a bat in my hands, but it’s something I’ll work at, and I’m excited about a new challenge.  Maybe I’ll see if Dontrelle Willis can be my hitting coach.


Q. When was the last time you laughed until your stomach hurt?
A: I laughed so hard it hurt when I saw the movie "Dumb and Dumber".  That movie has the best one liners period!!


Q. Where did you first begin using your pre-game warm up routine and how has it changed over the years?
A: I first used my routine in 1998. Alan Jaeger of the Jaeger Sports Academy in Los Angeles was the person that introduced it to me and it's evolved somewhat, but basically stayed the same.


Q. What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received and from whom?
A: My father told me, "If you don't shoot for the moon, you'll never get there."

Barry kicks back in his room surrounded by some personal collectibles, including a photograph of Sandy Koufax.

Q. What kind of music do you have on your IPOD and what song (s) are you playing over and over?
A: I have a ton on my IPOD – lots of different artists, styles, everything.  Right now I am really on a Stevie Wonder kick, especially the song "Until you Come Back To Me.”  I’m a big Dave Matthews Band fan as well.  The list of my favorite musicians is a lengthy one.


Q. What is your secret talent that no one knows about?
A: I can sing just like Michael McDonald.


Q. If you weren't a professional athlete, what would your profession be?
A: I would probably be in the field of science or medicine. I am really intrigued by both of these areas, especially the field of forensics.


Q. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
A: I feel fortunate that I’m a California guy.  For as many great places as I’ve gotten to visit, I don’t think I’ve been to any place where I’d rather live.  I grew up in San Diego, I live in Los Angeles and I’ve gotten to spend my career in the Bay Area.  Los Angeles is a great place to live.  I love the young people and the cumulative aspirations of the town.  The beaches, great restaurants, theater, music, every sport and the weather is perfect year ‘round.  I’m very happy that I get to stay in San Francisco.  Great, great people.


Q. What kind of jobs did you have before you BECAME A PRO BASEBALL PLAYER?
A: I ran the church bookstore for my mom growing up.


Q. Fast forward 15 years. What do you think you'll be doing and how wilL your life be different than right now?
A. I hope to have a World Series Championship ring on my finger by then.  I’d love to still be pitching then, trying to get my 300th win.


Q. What is the one quality a friend of yours must have to be considered a true friend?
A: Honesty is everything in friendships and in life.  If you are honest, you unknowingly give others permission to be.

Barry is joined by actor David James Elliott during the filming of JAG on CBS TV.

Q. What is your most favorite gift you ever gave someone?
A: I named a star after the woman who donated her liver to my mother.


Q. You are the only player in MLB history to ever wear number 75. Why did you choose that number?
A. I originally loved 34, but the A’s retired Rollie Fingers' number 34. I just thought of what would look symmetrical with my name "ZITO" on top of it and 75 was it.  Once that was it, there was no turning back.


Q. What was the first thing you bought when you signed your first professional baseball contract?
A: I bought a Shiny Black Dodge Durango.  I had dreamed of owning one.  In fact, I drove it everyday until this past year.


Q. What do you think is your best quality?
A: Honesty.


Q. What is your favorite song to dance to?
A: I can't sit still to Notorious B.I.G. and the Junior Mafia, "Get Money."


Q. WHEN WERE you THE MOST NERVOUS? Getting your first on-screen kiss with actress Kristen Dattilo during the filming of the Chris Isaak Show or pitching during the playoffs in Yankee Stadium?
A: By far more nervous for the on screen kiss.  It was the first scene on the first day of shooting and I had never acted before and was trying to remember my lines.  I had never met Kristen before, there were so many people watching us and she was really pretty!  She was so great though, and did her best to make me feel comfortable. We laughed about it after!  Acting was unfamiliar then.  Going to the top of the mound was something that I had done thousands of times.


Q. You have been on so many cool shows from Late Night with David Letterman, to CNN to ARLISS and JAG. Is there one that was your favorite experience?
A: I loved meeting David Letterman. I actually wrote a quickie little tune for the show but I never had the time to play it.  I hope to go back on his show someday!


Q. If you could be anyone besides yourself, who would it be and why?
A: I think it wouldn’t be fair to our spirit to yearn to be anybody other than who we are.  That would be a life not worth living.