Ben Zobrist

Who is Ben Zobrist?

Ben Zobrist, is a retired professional baseball second baseman and outfielder. Ben Zobrist played from high school to 2019. As a professional athlete, he has competed in three World Series, becoming a two-time World Series winner.

Zobrist is a “super-utility player” and one of just seven players in MLB history to win back-to-back World Series while also being named World Series Most Valuable Player in 2016.

A truly excellent baseball player.

Furthermore, let us delve deeper into the life of “Zorilla,” a world-renowned baseball player.

Childhood, Family, and Education

Ben Zobrist, better known as ‘Zorilla,’ was born on May 26th, 1981, in Eureka, Illinois, to proud parents Cynthia Zobrist and Tom Zobrist.

Ben’s father is the head pastor of Eureka’s Liberty Bible Church.

Serena Zobrist, Noah Zobrist, Peter Zobrist, and Jessica Zobrist are his four siblings.

Ben has also been playing baseball since he was eight years old.

He had a strong interest in baseball when he was a child.

Ben and his buddies even created a Wiffle ball field behind his house.

It was as if he had always known he was destined to play baseball.

Ben is a Gemini, according to the zodiac.

Geminis are noted for their adaptability, extroverted nature, and intelligence.

We can surely recognize all of these characteristics in Zobrist throughout his professional baseball career.

Age, Height, and Body Dimensions

In addition, the former baseball great is 41 years old.

Ben has an athletic build, standing at an astonishing 6’3″ and weighing 90kgs.

When it comes to his physical appearance, he has Light Brown hair and Brown eyes.

Family

On the same day in May 2019, Zobrist filed for legal separation in Tennessee, while Julianna filed for divorce in Illinois.

Ben claims that his wife has engaged in inappropriate marital behavior, making continuing cohabitation difficult.

However, there has been no official confirmation of the couple’s divorce after filing the lawsuit for each other.

The couples are still together, according to Ben’s Instagram post.

Education

Ben received his education at Eureka High School, where he graduated in 1999.

After none of the professional college recruiters or scouts took him seriously after his final high school game, he assumed baseball was gone for him.

As a result, Ben intended to attend Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri, for college.

Nonetheless, his high school coach had a different opinion and urged Ben to compete in Peoria, Illinois’ annual summer event that featured seniors.

He played college baseball and received an offer from Olivet Nazarene University.

He played second base, shortstop, and pitched for Olivet during his time there.

His collegiate education was a major highlight for his future professional career.

He received numerous prizes throughout his stay at Olivet.

In 2002, he was named to the All-CCAC and All-Region VII First Teams, as well as the NAIA Honorable Mention All-America team.

Similarly, in 2003, he was named First-Team All-Region VII, Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and NAIA All-America.

Later, during his senior year, he transferred to Dallas Baptist University, where he played shortstop.

As a growing baseball star, he accomplished a lot that we know and remember to this day.

More Facts about Ben Zobrist

Baseball Career and Profession

The 2002 Twin City Stars of the Central Illinois Collegiate League and the 2003 Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Summer Collegiate Northwoods League of Wausau, Wisconsin were the games that launched Zobrist’s professional career.

He was also named team MVP before leading his side to the League Championship.

The Devil Rays of Tampa Bay

Ben was picked as a shortstop by the Houston Astros in the sixth round of the 2004 draft.

On July 12, 2006, he was traded to the Rays in exchange for Aubrey Huff.

Zobrist made his MLB debut with Tampa Bay on August 1, 2006.

Ben struggled with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2006 and 2007.

He was later aided by the swing coach, which was visible for the Tampa Rays during the 2008 season, as he went to his first World Series as a member of the Tampa Rays.

Season 2009

After Akinori Iwamura’s injury, the Rays placed Ben in the right field and as the starting second baseman in 2009.

While leading the Rays, Zobrist earned a trip to his first All-Star Game in St.

Louis in 2009. He hit three grand slams and had the league’s highest slugging percentage.

During the season, this outstanding performance earned him the Rays’ MVP award from the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

In the 2009 season, Zobrist’s manager, Joe Maddon, gave him the well-known nickname ‘Zorilla.’

Season 2010

On April 23, 2010, Zobrist and the Rays agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract for the 2013 season, with a team option for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Season 2011

During the 2011 season, Ben earned eight RBIs in a 15-3 thrashing of the Minnesota Twins on April 28th, 2011.

During the same day, the league hosted another game, and Zobrist drove in two more runs, giving him a total of ten RBIs.

Season 2012

The Rays used Zobrist’s skills in the 2012 league at many positions, including shortstop, outfielder, and second baseman, as he had demonstrated in previous seasons.

Season 2013

For the second time in his career, Zobrist was named an All-Star by the League during the 2013 season.

On the other hand, he was a strikeout victim during the same season.

On September 10, 2014, Ben collected his 1,000th career hit while playing against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Athletics of Oakland

Ben Zobrist and teammate Yunel Escobar were later traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for John Jaso and Daniel Robertson.

During his time with the Oakland Athletics, Ben smashed a two-run homer in his first at-bat on opening day.

Unfortunately, Oakland announced Zobrist’s injury, a ruptured medial meniscus in his left knee.

Ben was placed on the 15-day disabled list as a result of his injury.

He also had to have knee surgery, which kept him out of commission for 4-6 weeks.

Royals of Kansas City

The Oakland Athletics sent Zobrist to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Sean Brooks.

During his time with the Royals, he appeared in 59 regular-season games.

Kansas City won the 2015 World Series.

The Kansas City Royals won the World Series in 2015.

The Kansas City Royals won the American League Central Division and headed to the World Series, where they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in six games to win the American League title.

The Royals won the 2015 World Series in four of five games, defeating the New York Mets.

On December 8, 2015, Zobrist agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, where he was reunited with Joe Maddon, his former manager with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Chicago Cubs advanced to the 2016 National League Championship Series and then to the MLB World Series.

After driving in the first two go-ahead runs in the top of the 10th inning, he was awarded World Series Most Valuable Player and won his second World Series Ring.

Ben was a Gold Glove Award nominee at second base in 2017.

On August 14th, 2018, Zobrist was dismissed for the first time in his career.

Furthermore, it was the same year he set a career-high in batting average.

Ben began the 2019 season with 26 games played before being placed on the restricted list on May 6th, 2019 due to a family emergency.

In late July, he announced his return.

Zobrist started his rehab stint with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the South Bend Cubs.

In September 2019, he made his first Major League pitching appearance, striking out Yadier Molina.

Career Statistics

Jon Heyman, a baseball insider, said in February 2020 that Zobrist was not going to play in the 2020 season.

Ben announced his retirement on March 6, 2020, and stated that he was open to returning to the Cubs in a non-player capacity in the future.

Net Worth

Examining Ben’s previous contracts with former organizations reveals that he was a highly well-paid professional athlete.

Furthermore, ZOBRIST’S NET WORTH IS ESTIMATED AT $51 MILLION.

Wife and Kids

In 2005, Zobrist married his ex-wife, Christian musician Julianna Zobrist.

Zion is one of their three children.

Blaise Royal Zobrist, Kruse Allegra Zobrist, and Benjamin Zobrist

Podcast

Ben Zobrist co-hosted The SHOW and GO Podcast, a baseball podcast, with Tim Dillard, Ryan Schmalz, and Joshua Costello.

In the episode, they discussed baseball fundamentals for amateur players, coaches, leagues, and various players, essentially engaging everyone and everything related to baseball.

The podcast includes 17 episodes, with the most recent one airing on March 18th, 2019.

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Social Media Presence

211.5K followers on Twitter