Panthers GM Zito was Brewers bat boy in 1982

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 00:57 · Archive

Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito worked as a bat boy for the Milwaukee Brewers during their 1982 World Series run.

Bill Zito, now general manager of the Florida Panthers, worked as a bat boy for the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1982 season when the team reached the World Series. Zito was in high school at the time, spending both the 1981 and 1982 seasons with the Brewers organisation.

Then-Brewers general manager Harry Dalton made a significant impression on Zito's career. In an interview, Zito recalled that Dalton 'took me under his wing' and encouraged him to pursue management. 'He took the time to explain everything to me and always encouraged me to get into the management side,' Zito said.

Zito's sports background extends beyond baseball. His father played football for the University of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Zito himself played college hockey at Yale before returning to the Midwest to complete law school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked as an agent before entering team management, joining the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013 and the Panthers in 2020. He has been a four-time finalist for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.

The Brewers are pursuing their first World Series title in franchise history after their NLCS victory over the Dodgers.

How it is being reported

• Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito has unusual tie to Milwaukee Brewers' last World Series runBill Zito was the Milwaukee Brewers' bat boy the last time they reached the World Series 44 years ago, long before building a Stanley Cup dynasty.Fox News · 17 Oct, 00:35
• Panthers GM Bill Zito has unusual tie to Brewers’ last World Series runIt’s been 44 years since the Brewers went to the World Series, a fact Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito will recall.New York Post · 16 Oct, 20:24

In this story: Bill Zito · Milwaukee Brewers · Florida Panthers · Harry Dalton · Los Angeles Dodgers

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