Zito, Hudson flounder in highly anticipated matchup
In 2004, when Barry Zito and Tim Hudson last shared a clubhouse in Oakland, the two pitchers were considered among the best in the American League: The former earned a Cy Young award two years prior and the latter was already a two-time All-Star.
More than a decade later, the two veterans reunited at O.co Coliseum, opposing one another Saturday afternoon for the first time ever, with Hudson sporting a San Francisco Giants uniform and Zito, at long last, back in the familiar green and gold. It was, by all accounts, a wonderfully nostalgic finish to a pair of lengthy, albeit divergent, careers.
In reality, though, the highly anticipated matchup fell well shy of wonderful.
Hudson, the 40-year-old right-hander poised to retire in a few weeks, lasted just 1 1/3 innings against the Athletics, allowing three runs - two earned - on one hit and three walks in what proved to be the second-shortest start of his illustrious career.
Somehow, though, Zito fared worse. Recalled by Oakland earlier this month after spending the entire season in the minors, the 37-year-old allowed four runs on six hits - including a solo shot to Jarrett Parker - before being pulled with nobody out in the third inning. His shaky outing didn't deter the fans from giving him a standing ovation as he walked off the field, however.
"It was definitely great to be a part of it and I enjoyed walking out there and getting the warm reception from the fans," Zito told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. "Seeing how they responded to Huddy was awesome. But you have to keep a mindset, too."
Hudson, as Zito alluded to, got a hearty ovation, as well, despite spending the last two years pitching on the western side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
"I didn’t do too well, but there comes a time in this game the moments are a little bigger than the games and the performances," Hudson said. "The fans here are awesome, they've always supported me. Classy moment from the fans here, something Zito and I will both appreciate forever."
(Videos courtesy of MLB.com)