Zito also shared the Stanley Cup with patients and staff at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, which previously treated his mother and sister
Zito also shared the Stanley Cup with patients and staff at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, which previously treated his mother and sister
The Stanley Cup is back in the United States and did something that screams both “America” and “summertime” on Wednesday.
It took in a Major League Baseball game.
That’s because Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito took his turn with the Stanley Cup this week and the Wisconsin native brought the historic trophy back to his hometown of Milwaukee.
Zito’s first job in sports was as a clubhouse attendant and bat boy for the Milwaukee Brewers back in the 80s when Zito was just a teenager.
Last summer, the Brewers invited Zito to throw out the first pitch before a game at American Family Field.
Now, just over a year later, Zito returned with a special guest: The Stanley Cup.
Brewers players, coaches and staff members arrived at the ballpark to find the giant silver trophy perched in the middle of the clubhouse.
Speaking to Bally Sports Wisconsin, Zito explained his reasoning behind bringing the Cup back to where he got his start.
“I think it's become a gesture, certainly in the hockey world, of respect, appreciation and thanks, and you'll see players and coaches and managers who are fortunate enough to have the Cup, sort of bring it back to people they want to say thank you to,” Zito said, with legendary Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker standing in the background. “You can see it stirs quite a bit of interest among people. They generally love seeing it. It has to be the most beautiful trophy in sports. And having been a clubby here in the early days, and actually worked for (Director of Clubhouse Operations) Tony (Migliaccio). I just wanted to bring it here and say thank you.”
Earlier in the day, Zito held an event for fans to see the Stanley Cup at Fiserv Forum, he visited with former teammates at his alma mater, University School of Milwaukee and also stopped by Milwaukee Winter Club youth hockey program, both of which hold special places in his heart.
Another visit that held deep importance to Zito was to the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he hoped to help raise awareness about pancreatic cancer.
Both Zito’s mother and sister were treated there after they were each diagnosed with the deadly, fast-acting form of cancer.
“The kindness and graciousness in which they dispense their care, it’s second to none. Having lived it, having watched my dad live it and be here hundreds of days a year for over 10 years,” Zito told Spectrum News in Milwaukee.
The day also included a visit to the Miller Brewery and to Kopps, where Zito once worked as a teen, for a Stanley Cup full of their amazing frozen custard.
“That was awesome,” Zito told MLB.com. “The guy made a big sundae for us.”
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