Zito rooted against Giants in 2010 after being left off postseason roster

Retired left-hander Barry Zito had a difficult tenure as a member of the San Francisco Giants, and it may never have been harder than in 2010.

After being left off the club's postseason roster, Zito actively cheered against the Giants, as he reveals in "Curveball," his forthcoming memoir.

"I rooted against the team because my ego was in full control and if we lost, then I could get out of there," Zito said, according to Ann Killion of The San Francisco Chronicle. "It would a) prove they couldn't do it without me, and b) take me out of the situation because I was so miserable coming to the field every day.

"I was so deep in shame. I wanted out of that situation so bad."

Zito was in the midst of his fourth season with San Francisco after signing a seven-year, $126-million contract prior to the 2007 campaign. At the time, it was the largest contract ever given to a pitcher.

In 2010, he went 9-14 with a 4.15 ERA over 199 1/3 innings in 34 appearances. Despite his struggles, the Giants finished first in the NL West with a 92-70 record and eventually won the World Series.

The southpaw also said his struggles with ego and anger caused him to ruin his friendship with teammate Brian Wilson.

Zito credits his wife Amber and his Christian faith for helping him manage his ego and deal with his professional challenges.

"Being humbled does amazing things," he said.

While Zito's regular-season numbers with the Giants were never strong, he wasn't left off the postseason roster the next time San Francisco went to (and won) the World Series. In 2012, he allowed one earned run in 13 1/3 innings between the NLCS and the Fall Classic.