Barry Zito knew he wanted to be a professional baseball player for his whole life. He first started playing when he was 6 and instantly loved it. “It was amazing to win the World Series,” he says. He started playing with the Giants in 2007. “I’m a big breakfast guy,” says Zito. “Right about now I wouldn’t mind some peanut butter on toast, or an omelet.“
Giant’s catcher Eli Whiteside has gotten lots of playing time this year after Buster Posey’s season-ending injury in May. Eli says getting the opportunity to play has been fun. One of the cool things for Eli is that he gets to wear Will Clark’s number 22, who was his favorite player as a kid.
For Nate Schierholtz getting the opportunity to play for the Giants is extra special because growing up in Danville, the Giants were his favorite team. One of the most exciting moments in Nate’s life was his major league debut. He had lots of friends and family in the stands that night when he came on as defensive substitute for eight-time Gold Glove Award-winner Barry Bonds. The next day, Nate got his first major league hit.
Last but not least, the man who is in charge of it all, manager Bruce Bochy. Immediately every one in the dugout raced to interview him. Five cameras were beating on him as tons of microphones captured every last word. “How’s the team doing in this losing streak,” someone asked. “The fellows are doing well.” Bochy replied. “It’s not how you act in the drought, but how you recover,” he added. He’s trying to keep the attitude in the locker room nice and positive. Some of Bochy's idols are Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Johnny Bench. If he wasn’t coaching the San Francisco Giants or the National All Star team, he would like to be a firefighter because as a kid that was what he wanted to be.