ZITO PITCHES IN FOR TROOPS HURLER'S PROJECT MAKES FOR MEMORABLE DAY.

Byline: Erik Boal Special to the Daily News

Barry Zito has enjoyed plenty of memorable nights at McAfee Coliseum during his six-year career with the Oakland Athletics.

Perhaps none as meaningful as Monday's game against the visiting Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Zito didn't pitch Monday, but the former Pierce College and USC standout was a strong presence on the diamond as part of the organization's Memorial Day celebration.

The evening was an emotional one for Zito, who delivered a brief postgame speech to the crowd about supporting ``Strikeouts for Troops,'' the national program started by the 27-year-old left-hander less than two months ago.

He has committed $100 for every strikeout he records during the 2005 season. In 68 2/3 innings, Zito (1-6, 4.85 ERA) has 45 strikeouts, including a season-high seven in six innings in Thursday's 4-1 loss at Cleveland.

With the assistance of his father, Joe, and Danville-based public-relations professional Kathy Jacobson, Zito developed ``Strikeouts for Troops'' not only to honor U.S. service members following their time in Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations, but to benefit troops who are being treated at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, Bethesda (Md.) Naval Hospital and other military hospitals.

The project also was created to help provide clothing, meals and entertainment for wounded soldiers and establish funds for travel and lodging expenses for soldiers' families.

``Many of our war-wounded are recovering in hospitals far from home and family, and `Strikeouts For Troops' will help them to know we support and believe in them,'' Zito posted on the organization's Web site, www.strikeoutsfortroops.org. ``We hope to make their stay in the hospital more comfortable and show we all are grateful for their courage and sacrifice.

``I am so proud that my team is supporting 'Strikeouts for Troops' to make a difference in the lives of our wounded soldiers, the true heroes in uniform.''

The program has raised $15,000.

In addition to Zito's donations, every fan who made a contribution of $50 or more received two upper-level tickets to Monday's game, which was attended by personnel stationed at Travis Air Force Base in nearby Fairfield and featured a 21-gun salute, along with a fireworks show that followed Zito's speech.

``He really has tremendous pride in this program,'' Jacobson - who has worked with Zito for the past three years - said in a phone interview from Oakland.

``With Barry, it's the little things that make a difference. It's the little things that really matter to him.''

Zito's commitment to supporting troops also has been recognized by officials at the Pentagon, who invited the 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner to participate in a special behind-the-scenes tour at Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery when the Athletics visit the Washington Nationals for a three-game series beginning June 7.

Erik Boal, [phone]

erik.boal(at)dailynews.com