"Everyone understood that Barry Zito had a rough October, being excluded from the postseason rosters. Few outside the clubhouse knew he had far more to worry about. His father was seriously ill at the time.

Zito said this week that Joseph Zito was hospitalized with a heart condition Oct. 12, the day after the Giants clinched the Division Series against Atlanta. He remained hospitalized through the postseason and still has not gone home. Zito said his 82-year-old dad remains in a rehabilitation facility in Southern California.

Zito was reluctant to elaborate on the entire month, saying, "I don't really want to relive it right now. It's done. It's in the past. It was quite challenging. I'm just looking ahead. It was intense enough going through it."

Rotation-mate Matt Cain acknowledged it was a difficult time, saying, "We knew that his dad wasn't doing well. We were just trying to be there and supportive for him.""