“It’s an absolute position, just like second base or left field is”.
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Zobrist, barely more than one month removed from winning his first World Series ring, has joined the foremost quest in North American sports, having agreed to a four-year, million deal with the Cubs, as first reported by FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal.
Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) is congratulated by teammates Ben Zobrist (18) and Eric Hosmer, right, after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015.
Maddon added: “To get “Zo” to walk in the door right now among the young players and be able to exhibit or exude this kind of influence, not only the work ethic, but how to play the game, play the game properly, show up every day, be ready to play that’s something we haven’t had. A real legitimate SU guy is a position, and it permits you to do so many different things with your lineup daily and so many different things to get progress daily”.
Ben Zobrist has spent most of his career as an under-the-radar player on underdog teams. 265 hitter with a. 355 on-base percentage and. The New York Mets were reportedly the other finalist for Zobrist. Overall, in 126 games between the two teams, he batted.276/.359/.450 with 13 homers and 56 RBIs. “It was about him finding a place that fit”.
“I don’t think this was about money”, Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said. I think he liked a lot about what we were. Maddon is a creative manager with a history of moving Zobrist around from their days together in Tampa Bay. It’s a little closer to home for him.
“We had (Jason) Bartlett at shortstop, and there wasn’t really a clear spot for me”, Zobrist said of his initial role with the Rays.
“He actually helped pay for my daughter’s wedding”, Maddon said, a reference to his postseason share.
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“That is my number one goal the next four years is to win a championship and bring a World Series trophy back to Chicago”.
