Of course, there was another sports venue to visit: American Family Field, home of the MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers, where Zito played as a bat boy from 1981 to 1983.

“I was fortunate enough to work here as a clubhouse man and bat boy and work for (former Brewers GM) Mr. Harry Dalton, that 1982 team. I actually worked for Tony (Migliaccio, director of clubhouse operations and equipment manager), who is still here, and this is a wonderful way to say thank you.

“They say it’s great to receive a gift, but it’s better to give a gift. Just being able to show that respect and see the reaction from the guys when it comes into the clubhouse is really special.”

In fact, the arrival of the trophy caught the attention of several players, most of whom took photos of it and looked at the names of previous winners.

“It’s pretty cool to see it up close for the first time, to be able to touch it and read the names on it,” said right fielder Sal Frelick, a Boston native but a Pittsburgh Penguins fan as a kid.

“I think it’s the best trophy in sports. I really believe that. There’s so much tradition behind it. You see which teams win the Stanley Cup, everyone has their day with it and takes it to different places. That’s unique to the sport and unique to the trophy in general, you don’t get that in other sports.”

It was a great day for Zito and his family. He would love to do it again.

“Oh my God,” Zito said, shaking his head and smiling. “You hear the guys say, ‘Oh, (winning one) makes me hungrier.’ And that’s true.”