Table of Contents
Foreword xi
Introduction: Fame, Shame, and the Love of the Game xv
Chapter 1 Half-Italian, All-American 1
Chapter 2 Let the Games Begin 13
Barry's Basics-First Base 27
Chapter 3 The Point of Release Is Everything 31
Chapter 4 Method to the Madness 45
Barry's Basics-Second Base 57
Chapter 5 At Least Now We're in the Building 61
Chapter 6 Ride That Wave 77
Barry's Basics-Third Base 97
Chapter 7 Creating My Own Monster 99
Barry's Basics-Home Plate 113
Chapter 8 Tattoo That Number on Your Forehead 115
Chapter 9 Trying Everything, Getting Nowhere 135
Chapter 10 Nobody's Fault but Mine 157
Chapter 11 But He Was Never There, Until Right Now 173
Chapter 12 Stay on Your Side of the Fence 193
Chapter 13 No Regrets, No What-Ifs 207
Conclusion: The Tale of Two Rings 221
Appendix 1 God's Gift of Mercer 225
Appendix 2 The Gospel According to Barry Zito 229
Appendix 3 Barry Zito Baseball Career Awards and Stats 235
Notes 239
About the Authors 243