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Rays trade of Ben Zobrist a sad day
Posted January 11, 2015
ST. PETERSBURG — This one stings. When David Price was traded, that was hard. When Andrew Friedman left, that was shocking. When Joe Maddon walked away, that was weird.
But this one? This one just hurts.
Ben Zobrist is gone. The Rays traded him Saturday, and now this offseason truly does feel like the end of an era in Tampa Bay.
Sometimes when people talk about a particular athlete, they say, "As good of a player as he is, he's an even better person.''
You hear it all the time, right? Honestly, that's often not true.
In this case, it is true. It's true times 100. Ben Zobrist is a better person than he is a ballplayer, and for the record, he's one heck of a ballplayer.
Ask the man who traded him. When Rays boss Matt Silverman was asked Saturday how much Zobrist has meant to this franchise, Silverman paused and said, "How much time do we have?''
Maybe Zobrist wasn't the most talented player in the history of the franchise, but you can make a pretty compelling case that he was its most valuable. On and off the field.
That's why Saturday was not an easy day for the Rays.
"This has been a difficult transaction for all of us to stomach, and there are a lot of heavy hearts in the organization,'' Silverman said. "Ben has been a central figure in the transformation of the organization, and he epitomizes the Rays brand of baseball. I could talk about him for hours.''
For the Rays, Zobrist was everything you want in a ballplayer. He would play anywhere, bat anywhere, do whatever he was asked.
Play rightfield and bat second? No problem.
Play second base and bat fifth? Sure thing.
Fill in at shortstop and hit sixth? You bet.
He could win a game by blasting a homer or laying down a bunt. He could hit a ground ball to second to move a runner to third and take a good pitch to allow a runner to steal a base. He started rallies with his bat, stole bases with his legs and snuffed out runs with his glove.
"He's immensely talented,'' Silverman said. "Everyone knows about his versatility. And he's known for being a selfless player who puts the team first. He makes his teammates better. He's a winner, and he's demonstrated that the past eight years with us.''
And he did it with class, grace and respect.
A couple of years ago, the Rays got into one of those dumb, macho, you're-not-going-to-intimidate-us bean-ball dustups with the Tigers. Detroit pitcher Ricky Porcello hit Zobrist intentionally with a pitch, and the first thing everyone in baseball thought was, "Really? You're going to hit Ben Zobrist?''
That's the kind of guy Zobrist is: a good teammate, a good player and the type of player you want on your team. He never does anything spectacularly, but he does everything well — well enough that with the Rays he was selected for two All-Star Games though he never really had a set position in the field or in the batting order.
Maybe he didn't get the publicity or fanfare that Evan Longoria or Price or even Maddon did, but as much as anyone, Zobrist deserves credit for turning the Devil Rays into Rays, from a last-place laughingstocks to perennial contenders.
No matter where he played or where he batted, the switch-hitting Zobrist was a key cog in the Rays' starting nine. He was so dependable, so consistent that you overlooked his contributions daily. Only when he was out with an injury, given a day off or in a bit of a slump did you realize how valuable he was to the Rays.
Off the field, he was a good teammate and a good ambassador, not only for his team but his faith. In a time when athletes are often criticized for expressing their religious beliefs, Zobrist proudly lets it be known what matters most to him: God and family. Baseball is just something he does. He did it very well for the Rays, but it wasn't what defined him. Not only did he talk the talk, but he walked the walk, living the faith he publicly shared.
So if Zobrist is all these wonderful things and still a valuable player, why are the Rays trading him?
Is it a salary dump? Not really. Between trading Zobrist and Yunel Escobar to the A's for, among others, John Jaso and signing Asdrubal Cabrera on Saturday, the Rays aren't really saving much — less than $2 million.
But this is about the future, the Rays' and Zobrist's. Zobrist is in the last year of a six-year, $30 million contract and was probably going to be in line for a hefty raise after this season. Frankly, the Rays probably looked at Zobrist's age (he'll be 34 in May) and declining numbers (his power stats have gone down each of the past two seasons) and projected that he wouldn't be worth what he could probably get on the open market.
So, along came the opportunity to deal Zobrist for Jaso and a couple of minor-leaguers, including the A's top shortstop prospect. It's a deal that probably wouldn't have been available at a later date and likely would not have been done at all had the Rays not been able to sign Cabrera.
But Silverman did admit that this is the type of trade the Rays must make. It is similar to a trade in 2006 when the Rays sent veteran slugger Aubrey Huff to the Astros for a switch-hitting prospect named Ben Zobrist.
That turned out to be a pretty good day for the Rays. Maybe Saturday will turn out to be a great day, too.
But so far, we can say only one thing about Saturday: It was a sad day if you like a good player and an even better man.
Double Play gives fans a look inside the Zobrists life
Posted July 11, 2014
Ben and Julianna Zobrist have become well-known figures in the Tampa Bay area. Ben is an all-star Major League Baseball player for the Rays and Julianna is a talented Christian singer. In their new book, Double Play, they write about the importance of putting faith and family first in their life together.
The book gives a look inside how they balance their family life through the ups and downs of a career in Major League Baseball and as a professional musician. In this video, Julianna explains it was a chance to give fans the full story.
MLB: Rays Zobrist slept through fake trade reports
Posted Aug 2, 2014
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Ben Zobrist slept right through Thursday's rumor that he had been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"I was napping, to be honest," Zobrist said Friday of a fake tweet that had briefly turned into television news the previous day. "I didn't see any of it. My wife texted me. She said: 'Hey, I'm getting texts from people saying that we got traded.' So I started looking around the internet to see if I could find anything, and at that point everything had already been taken off."
Zobrist, the Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop, had taken his son, Zion, to an early dentist appointment on off day for the Rays.
"Then I went home and started watching everything (in the final hours before the trade deadline) and then I crashed," he said. "When I woke up, it was all said and done. I saw that (David) Price got traded, and then my wife started texting me."
Julianna Zobrist, returning from a trip to Los Angeles, was concerned about reports that turned out to be bogus. "I called my dad and said: 'Hey, have you seen anything on TV? Because Jules is getting texts from friends,'" Zobrist said. "We were getting emails from people asking for tickets in Pittsburgh. She didn't know if anything was true and I was trying to find out if it was. So eventually I was like: 'It's not true, it's a false report.'"
With Price having been traded to the Detroit Tigers, Zobrist and Evan Longoria are the only Rays remaining from the 2008 AL pennant winning team. Pitcher Grant Balfour was also on that team, but he pitched most of the intervening years in Oakland.
The 33-year-old Zobrist has learned to live with trade rumors. "I've thought about it for sure, but it hasn't weighed on me," he said. "Being part of this environment, everybody just accepts that those things could happen. It's a reality for all of us at any point. You kind of roll with it."
We love you of course, any chance you can put your next chapter on this site for the Royals Love?
What to Wear at a Rays Game???
Posted July 11, 2014
We search through magazines, watch runway shows and scroll through blogs to find fashion inspiration. None the less, we often find ourselves rummaging through our closet with an age-old question: what to wear.
In hopes of helping others solve this wardrobe dilemma, we are excited to present a regular 'What to Wear' feature on TBO Seen. We'll offer helpful fashion tips from black-tie affairs to every day occasions in Tampa Bay.
In this video, we tackle what to wear to a Rays game. VStylist, Tamy Lugo and Julianna Zobrist, Christian singer and wife of Rays second baseman, Ben Zobrist, show us some winning looks.
Our goal was to create a stylish, yet comfortable look. Remember, it's a baseball game so you want to feel comfortable whether you're sitting or standing. If you're considering going out after the game, choose pieces that transition well, like blazers, heels, and fun statement accessories.
For more style inspiration from Tamy, you can visit her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Rays strut their stuff to help fund dreams for local kids
Posted July 11, 2014
Rays baseball players took to the runway with their wives or girlfriends and 'dream models'-- kids from the Children's Dream Fund. The annual fashion show raises funds to help dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses. Since its inception, Rays on the Runway has raised over $275,000 for the Children's Dream Fund. Take a look at this video to see Rays players work the runway for a good cause.
Fox & Friends Video: Tampa Bay Rays Ben Zobrist shares his softer side
Posted June 1, 2014
Click to watch Ben and wife Julianna Zobrist talk to Fox & Friends on putting faith and family first in their new book Double Play.
Zobrist, Rays and Bay Area YMCAs launch "Be Water Smart from the Start" summer partnership
Posted June 13, 2014
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The Tampa Bay Rays and utilityman Ben Zobrist, along with Bay Area YMCAs, United Way Suncoast, the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, will partner this summer to implement "Be Water Smart from the Start," a comprehensive drowning prevention plan for youth in the Tampa Bay area.
The "Be Water Smart from the Start" campaign, which opened with an aquatic safety awareness press conference on Friday, June 6 at the South Tampa Family YMCA with Zobrist, YMCA representatives and Rays Senior Vice President Mark Fernandez, was formed in order to increase drowning awareness and provide the community with access to drowning prevention resources.
"Be Water Smart from the Start" also includes a series of public service announcements featuring Zobrist explaining drowning risks and helpful tips for the summer.
"The Rays are proud to support this very important initiative," Fernandez said. "The statistics are troubling. The Rays and the Rays Baseball Foundation are committed to making an impact and ensuring our children are safe."
According to the YMCA, from 2005 to 2009, there was an average of 3,533 fatal unintentional drowning cases annually in the United States and about one in five of those who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Additionally, Florida has the highest drowning death rate in the nation for children under age 5 with more than 60 percent of these drowning deaths in Florida occurring in residential swimming pools every year.
"The Bay Area YMCA's are thrilled to have the Tampa Bay Rays as are our partner," said Executive Vice President and COO of Tampa Metropolitan YMCA Adam Klutts. "Together, we can help prevent childhood death due to drowning by teaching kids to swim and be safe around the water. Swimming is an activity that provides fun and exercise for their entire lives. Because of the Rays support, our children can 'Be Water Smart from the Start!'"
For more information and a number of aquatic safety tips, visit YMCA Tampa Bay.
With his involvement in "Be Water Smart from the Start," Zobrist joins Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (Reading with the Rays) and Manager Joe Maddon (Feeding America Tampa Bay) as spokespersons for major community initiatives in the Tampa Bay area in 2014.
DoubePlay - The New Book by Ben & Julianna Zobrist - Available Now!
Posted March 18, 2014
Ben and Julianna Zobrist appeared in studio to discuss faith, family, baseball and their new book Double Play with guest host Micah Fries.
Click here for a bunch of different options to purchase DoublePlay.
Click here to purchase at Amazon.com.
Click here to purchase at Barnes & Nobles.
Click here to purchase at Booksamillion.
Click here to purchase at Lifeway Christian.
Click here to purchase at Mardel.com.
Click here to purchase at IndieBound.
Ben is an all-star Major League Baseball player for the Tampa Bay Rays, married to new recording artist and female vocalist Julianna. During the off-season, the Zobrists call Nashville their home.
All-Star player Ben Zobrist, considered one of the best all-around players in baseball, writes about the importance of his faith, life, and athletic career in Double Play. Written with his wife, Christian singer Julianna Zobrist, and Mike Yorkey, best-selling author of Every Man's Battle and Linspired: The Remarkable Rise of Jeremy Lin, the book gives fans a first look into the heart of an athlete whose talent and devotion to God, family, and baseball make him one of the most loveable figures in the Major League today.
The Zobrists - #TheExchange - Aired Dec. 3, 2013 from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.
Thank you for your inquiry. The Zobrists will be doing 2 book signings coming up. The first is April 19th, at Tropicana Field (Team Store) at 11am. The other is April 21st, at Barns & Noble Bookstore in St. Petersburg, FL at 5pm. You can view more dates in the Tour section of this site.
Check back as more dates will be added!
In the Round with Julianna Zobrist.
Posted May 30, 2014
Instruments of Change and Now I Play Along Too.
Julianna Zobrist performing at Instruments of Change benefit concert at The Hideaway Cafe in St Petersburg. Filmed by Celebrations of Tampa Bay.
Fox & Friends Video: Power couple still finds time for faith, family.
Posted May 23, 2014
Ben and Julianna Zobrist crash the Curvy Couch. Click to view the Ben & Julianna interview on Fox & Friends, where they discuss their new book, faith, marriage, and family.
Faith is the base for Julianna and Ben Zobrists family
Posted May 1, 2014
For the six months of the year known as baseball season, Ben and Julianna Zobrist rent a house in South Tampa.
Here, a bridge and a bay away from Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays second baseman and Christian recording artist make a temporary home with their children Zion, 5 and Kruse, 2.
They attend Relevant Church in Ybor City, where Julianna's drummer and bassist are members of the praise band.
Here, the Zobrists appear at fundraisers and do radio spots for Joy FM, a Christian station. Julianna homeschools Zion. Ben takes him out to play catch. Then they rush to catch planes headed for away games.
In 2001, Ben and Julianna Zobrist started their relationship instant messaging. A prayerful courtship followed. There were chaste dates and long phone conversations about God, family and baseball. In 2005, the two "pastor's kids" became one at a mid-December wedding where they both wore white.
In March the couple released a book Double Play: Faith and Family First, a love story about two imperfect believers. It is a testament to God's grace and will, they say.
On May 10, Julianna Zobrist, who is recording her third studio album, will perform a concert at Relevant to benefit Lifesong for Orphans. She will sing her hit Behind Me, which hubby Ben uses as his walk up song at home games. I talked to "Jules" about first dates, parenting and the Christian life.
Here is what she had to say.
On dating Ben . . .
It wasn't flirting and physical attraction that made me decide to date him. Of course we were attracted to each other but it was more than that. It was a lot of prayer and heavy leaning on my heart. I loved the way that he was so thoughtful. Our conversations were always purposeful. I felt safe with him. It was that way from the beginning. Of course, because we were long distance, our first real date was totally awkward. We had to learn how to actually be in the same place.
On opening up for the book . . .
It was a struggle deciding what to share. There are things in our lives we aren't proud of and the story of what happened to me as a girl at camp, the molestation, that's not something easy to share. We took those parts out and read it, and then we put them back in. Without the tougher parts, it didn't make sense. It was like playing a song on a piano made of only white keys.
On being a Christian parent . . .
I don't want my children to fear me or to obey me just for the sake of obedience. I want them to be very educated and aware of the realities of the world. I want them to know what is out there, to be able to read a book on a different religion and still be confident in what they believe. I don't want them to be afraid of what others believe or think they have to live in a bunker.
On road trips . . .
I am grateful for baseball because my children always get to travel, to be out and about. They have visited museums across the world. They are around a lot of different people. I love that. It isn't always ideal but I am happy to do it, because it means we get to be together. When Ben and I married, we agreed we would never spend more than six days apart. It isn't always easy flying alone with the kids. It takes effort on my part. And it takes effort for Ben to wake up and be active with the kids instead of lounging before a game. But for us, being together is way more valuable than having a set routine.
On Relevant Church . . .
I love it. It has a rock 'n' roll style. Definitely a different worship style than my dad's church but the same dedication to outreach, the same love for people and for Jesus. I go as often as I can when I'm in town.
On the Rays 2014 season . . .
I want to dye my hair blue in October and go to the World Series. I think we can go all the way.
Julianna Zobrist will perform at 6:30 p.m. May 10 at Relevant Church, 1704 N 16th St. Her second album, Say It Now, is on iTunes.
After missing 2 weeks with injured thumb, Zobrist back in Rays lineup
Posted June 3, 2014
Ben Zobrist is back with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The second baseman rejoined the team Friday for the start of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, after he had missed 13 contests since being placed on the 15-day disabled list May 15 with a dislocated left thumb. Zobrist, a two-time All-Star, injured the thumb when sliding awkwardly headfirst into second base on a stolen-base attempt in the fifth inning of a victory over the Seattle Mariners on May 14.
Infielder Cole Figueroa, who hit .250 with one RBI in seven games during Zobrist's absence, was optioned Thursday to Triple-A Durham to make room on the roster for Zobrist.
Zobrist was listed as the second batter in the Rays' lineup Friday against right-hander Brandon Workman. He has hit .260 with three home runs and nine RBI this season.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Rays to get Ben Zobrist back Friday
Posted June 3, 2014
The Rays are off Thursday, but have already optioned infielder Cole Figueroa to Triple-A Durham because second baseman Ben Zobrist is set to return to the active big-league roster Friday (via MLB.com), when the Rays begin a three-game series in Boston.
Zobrist, 33, is hitting .260/.352/.364 (105 OPS+) with seven doubles, three homers, nine RBI and 24 runs in 40 games this season. He's been out since May 14 after suffering a left thumb dislocation.
It'll be interesting to see where manager Joe Maddon employs Zobrist in the batting order. He's hit leadoff 19 times this season, batted second 10 times and third nine times. The Rays have settled in with David DeJesus at the top and Evan Longoria in the two-hole of late.
The Rays enter Thursday nine games back in the AL East with a record of 23-31.
By Matt Snyder | Baseball Writer | CBS Sports
Celebrate Life Concert at Relevant Church with Julianna Zobrist: A Video Message from Julianna
Posted March 18, 2014
Celebrate Life Concert at Relevant Church with Julianna Zobrist
Celebrate Life Concert at Relevant Church with Julianna Zobrist from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.
A benefit concert for Lifesong for Orphans with Julianna Zobrist and the Lifesong Zambia Children's Choir. This concert will be an excellent opportunity for the whole family to hear how they can help care for orphans and vulnerable children.
A Love Offering will be taken during the concert. 100% of the Love Offering will go to caring for orphans and vulnerable children. No concert costs or administrative costs will be deducted, Lifesong has been blessed with partners that underwrite all US administrative and fundraising costs (TMG Foundation and other partners). That means 100% of your donation received by Lifesong will go directly to the need…helping orphans.
Rays Zobrist finding his groove with the bat
Posted April 29, 2014
CINCINNATI — The Rays' Ben Zobrist did something Sunday he had never done before, not even in Little League. He homered from both sides of the plate in the same game during a 12-4 loss to the Reds. "I wish the circumstances were a little bit different," he said. "But still it's pretty cool to be able to say that I did that in a big-league game." Zobrist hit his first home run in the third inning while batting right-handed against LHP Tony Cingrani. His second came in the seventh off RHP Nick Christiani. Both were two-run homers. "How about it? He's right up there with Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray," Rays manager Joe Maddon said, naming a pair of Hall of Famers who also homered from both sides in the same game. "Really some good at-bats. How good did he look in left field? That should possibly get him going." Zobrist, who played the outfield for the first time since last season (spring training included), is hitting .304 on the road trip. He said he is seeing the ball better and feels he is finding a groove at the plate. "It's hard to be real excited about any personal achievement when we were having a rough day as a team," he said. "So we'll have to turn the page quickly and get ready for Baltimore."
Rays Zobrist, Maddon irked by rule interpretation
Posted April 29, 2014
By Roger Mooney | Tribune Staff
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist said he texted Tony Clark, the head of the players' union, on Wednesday, asking the union to see what it can do with the new interpretation of when a player has successfully transferred the ball from his glove to this hand.
The rule was applied in Tuesday's win when Zobrist caught, then dropped the ball on a force attempt at second base. Before the rule was changed to accommodate replay, it would have been ruled that Zobrist dropped the ball while taking the ball out of his glove and the runner would have been out.
"This is what I was told: If you do not catch the ball, pull it out with your bare hand and throw it in the intended direction you were trying to throw it, it's no longer a catch. Even if you pull it out with your bare hand and then drop it, it's not a catch," Zobrist said before Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Royals.
Rays manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday this interpretation calls into question all force plays. "There's a definite difference between whether or not the guy actually dropped the ball and caught and then tried to throw it and dropped it," Maddon said. "With technology as it is to go this far in the right direction and then to redefine the force play, to me, doesn't make a whole lot of sense."
Zobrist said it's a double-standard because first basemen don't have to even have full possession before the runner is called out on a review.
"(If the ball hits) the back of the palm, even before you close the mitt, back of the palm before the (runner's) foot hits the base, out," Zobrist said. "But at second you not only have to do that, but catch it and pull it out and throw it in the direction you're throwing it. That makes no sense at all."
That's why Zobrist said he turned to the players' association.
"We have to do something about that rule, because that's a ridiculous rule," Zobrist said. "It's been that way for 120 years or whatever and now we're changing it? They're saying we got it wrong for 120 years so now we got to change it? That makes no sense at all."
During the third inning, with Kansas City's Alcides Escobar on first base, Jarrod Dyson hit a grounder to Rays shortstop Yunel Escobar, who threw the ball to Zobrist. Zobrist caught the ball with his foot on the bag, then dropped the ball as he was attempting to take the it out of his glove and throw to first base.
Second base umpire Phil Cuzzi ruled Zobrist didn't have possession long enough and called Alcides Escobar safe.
Maddon asked for a review, but the call was upheld.
"I know the umpire did the April 8 interpretation properly, but I think it's totally wrong. I think the rule is wrong," Maddon said after Tuesday's game.
"That runner was absolutely out. Zo caught the ball one handed. There was no two-handed, like a lot of middle infielders catch the ball with two hands and then drop, I can totally understand that play being called a drop, I totally can. But that was tantamount to a first baseman receiving a ball from shortstop, a force play that's done at first base, and then if he gets off the bag and proceeds to throw and drop it, nothing would be called."
Maddon said the replay system is a fluid one and changes can be made to the rules. That is one rule Maddon said needs to be changed.
"You can easily discern that Zo had that ball in his glove with the foot on the bag and the runner is out, period," he said. "So, as we continue to move this forward, I think there has to be a differentiation between that and the two-handed transfer. … That is an improper call as far as I'm concerned, even though I know it's within the boundaries right now. On top of that, Zo gets an error when he should not."
Julianna Zobrist on Faith, Perseverance, Image, and 'Most Personal' Album Yet
Posted March 18, 2014
Recording artist Julianna Zobrist is on a mission to spread the word of God using her music. It may surprise you, though, to know that Zobrist was reluctant to call herself a Christian at first: a unique opportunity presented itself, allowing her to finally stand in her faith.
"I grew up in a Christian home," Zobrist told The Christian Post, "where being a Christian was very normal, even cool. That's where I was when I was growing up, in the mindset of it just being normal, nothing 'profound' in my understanding of what Christ had done … hadn't struck me to my core."
When Zobrist was a sophomore, she attended a conference meant to equip students with the resources to evangelize to complete strangers. That, Zobrist said, was when she was faced with the questions of "what do you believe? Are you willing to put yourself on the line for Christ?"
At that moment, Zobrist explained, was a moment with the Lord.
"He was saying, 'You've either got to stop calling yourself a Christian because you're giving me a bad name, or something has to change.' He rescued me, brought me out of darkness into His life. That's the moment His grace became so profound because it wasn't about me- it was about God and embracing His salvation for me," she explained.
Since then, Zobrist has taken the name of Christian seriously and has used her God-given talent to deliver two powerful CDs. "The Tree" was released in 2009 and helped show Zobrist who her audience truly was. Then she learned "whom I was talking to and what stories to share with them." Her second album, "Say It Now" has done well on iTunes and Christian billboards and features one song that is rather special to Zobrist. "'Behind Me' is a specific story about a dear friend," she told CP.
"We all have things we want to go back and erase, and the Lord gives us the opportunity to redeem our lives and for Him to change us and that's what the song is about … someone crying out for God to help him/her leave something behind, something he/she wishes not to have done … It's the most personal."
One other message that Zobrist wants to spread is meant for women and young girls alike.
"Stop trying to be so perfect- it's a false gospel!" she warned. "God left us here for a purpose and didn't create you to be this perfect, Godly girl. We all place expectations on one another that can become idols in our lives as we attain to live up to them."
"I want to set girls free from that bondage that we place on one another, and on ourselves- be who you are in Christ! Allow your need for a savior to be shown, because that's why He came! That's the story behind 'Say It Now,'" another track on "Say It Now."
Julianna and her husband, Ben Zobrist, will next be appearing at Tropicana Field in Florida on Aug. 4, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. For $5, fans will get Julianna's latest CD and both Zobrists' autographs.
Both of her albums, "The Tree" and "Say It Now" are available on iTunes and Amazon.
BBTN 100: Zobrist Ranks Top 5 Second Basemen
Posted April 9, 2014
Who are the Best Players in Major League Baseball heading into the 2014 season? ESPN formed a panel of MLB writers, analysts and contributors to rank the top 100. We'll run through the top 10 lists at every position beginning Monday, and unveil the top 100 on March 27 with a special edition of "Baseball Tonight."
To compile the top 100, more than 40 ESPN experts were polled in February, starting with a list of more than 350 players. Using a 0-to-100 scale, they evaluated the players based only on how well they will perform in 2014. Players expected to miss 2014 with an injury were not included. Ages are listed as of July 1, 2014.
Zobrist is 'Father of Utility' in Rays' organization
Posted April 9, 2014
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Ben Zobrist is the "Father of Utility" for the way he popularized playing many different positions, a role that has become a key component of the Rays' organization.
Zobrist came up with the team in 2006 after Tampa Bay acquired him in a trade with the Astros. Originally he played shortstop for the Rays, but he didn't really become a major contributor to the team until 2008,when he split time between the Rays and the Minor Leagues and proved that he could hit and be plugged into multiple positions. Zobrist has since thrived, prompting the Rays to add other players to the roster who could play multiple positions.
This spring the roster is full of guys with many gloves in their lockers, such as Sean Rodriguez, Logan Forsythe, Jayson Nix, Cole Figueroa, Ray Olmedo, Vince Belnome and Wilson Betemit, which is as much a compliment to Zobrist's success as a utility player as it is a nod to the Rays' ideology that led to the creation of his role.
Zobrist noted that he doesn't really think about being the guy who got the utility ball rolling for the Rays.
"It's just kind of become who I am as a player," Zobrist said. "If they started saying, 'This is all you can do,' or, 'We only want you to do this now,' I think I would feel kind a little like they're taking something away from me."
Joe Maddon expressed a desire to develop some sort of utility player on the team early in his tenure as the Rays' manager. He'd witnessed the effectiveness of Chone Figgins when both were with the Angels, and he understood what having such a player could mean to a roster.
Zobrist allowed that he could appreciate how far the utility role has come at the Major League level.
"It's interesting that for so long, that it was looked at as almost a negative thing," Zobrist said. "Like you can't really be a starter if you're a utility guy. But now it's evolved to where it's a lot more of a tool for the manager or the coaching staff to move you around. As far as people seeing me as one of the first guys to do that, I think it's pretty cool. But if you're going to call me the 'Father of Utility,' I'm going to start feeling old."
Regardless of whether or not Zobrist established the utility role for the Rays, he believes it would have developed anyway.
"I think eventually, it still would have happened," Zobrist said. "It's just the nature of the way the game is evolving. You know, they want the guys on the bench to be able to do more. It gives the manager more flexibility. He's able to do more things at the end of the game.
"With the way the pitching has evolved, you have to have several different kinds of options coming off the bench at the end of the game. It makes it a little trickier for the manager, but having a guy or two like that, who can move around, obviously makes those decisions a little easier."
Maddon also believes a utility man would eventually have come along for the Rays.
"We still would have looked for it," Maddon said. "The thing really worked out for Ben; it really enhanced his career. At that time when he was really establishing himself, we couldn't see him playing just one position every day. And by him having those kinds of abilities, it permitted you to slot him in [at different positions], and when you slot him in, then all of a sudden he's comfortable. You start seeing balls land in the stands, and he becomes an everyday baseball player."
The utility role seemed destined to evolve given the climate of the game when Maddon took the reins of the Rays in 2006, as if the perfect storm had occurred.
"It kind of fit into our schematic pretty well," Maddon said. "I always thought that those kinds of guys expand a roster. ... That really makes a difference when you're putting together a roster. It permits so many different things daily, if somebody were to get hurt. It permits so many things [with a] game in progress. It's a great advantage to have, especially a guy of [Zobrist's] caliber."
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Ben and Julianna Zobrist appeared in studio with host Micah Fries.
Posted December 3, 2013
Ben and Julianna Zobrist appeared in studio to discuss faith, family, baseball and their new book Double Play with guest host Micah Fries. Ben is an all-star Major League Baseball player for the Tampa Bay Rays, married to new recording artist and female vocalist Julianna. During the off-season, the Zobrists call Nashville their home.
What its like to hit a walk off home run
Handling success on the big stage
Growing up as a pastors kids
Leadership comes 'chrome' free
Posted October 7, 2013
ST. PETERSBURG -- Ben Zobrist lacks chrome.
That assessment has been issued by Rays manager Joe Maddon on countless occasions since Zobrist began his ascension toward becoming one of the team's best and most revered players. Turns out, lacking chrome is the ultimate baseball compliment. Translated: Zobrist will never be called a hot dog. He just gets the job done, year in and year out.
Accordingly, Zobrist's lack of chrome is accompanied by a lack of recognition. He remains one of the best kept secrets in the Major Leagues, save for one select group.
"If you ask any manager in the league, they'd be like, 'This is a guy I want on my team,'" Maddon said.
Maddon allowed that underrating Zobrist's talents was understandable if one saw him play only on occasion.
"To be with him daily, you get to see it all and all the little things that he does, and beyond that, all the team things that he does," Maddon said. "This guy is all about winning. That's it. That's it. He doesn't care about his batting average. He does only in the sense that if he's not hitting well, that means he's not helping the team."
During his eight seasons with Tampa Bay, Zobrist has played every position except for pitcher and catcher. He draws the line at any discussion about playing catcher but has allowed on occasion that he might be persuaded to get behind the plate in exchange for a turn on the mound. In addition to his versatility, Zobrist can put up quality offensive numbers and has evolved into a team leader.
Zobrist's Christian faith is a major part of who he is, and no doubt that faith has helped him through many of the tough times familiar to a Major Leaguer. He is happy to share his faith with teammates seeking a deeper understanding of his religion, but he is not one to force his beliefs on others. Zobrist is well-respected for the player he is -- and the person he is every day.
"He's awesome," rookie Wil Myers said. "Especially for me, he's the guy I hang out with more than anyone here. He's more of a quiet leader than Evan [Longoria] is in the clubhouse. I think he just has everyone's respect here. I think he's a great guy. We have a lot of the same beliefs and backgrounds, so he's one of the guys I try to hang around a lot and get to know better."
Matt Joyce notes that Zobrist is "definitely one of those guys who leads by example."
"[Ben is] somebody you really rely on and somebody you almost come to expect to be out there every day and give you everything he has," Joyce said. "He's obviously a leader off the field as well as on. As far as his beliefs and his morals and his values, I think they go a long way with providing some guidance to the younger guys. He's a great teammate."
Zobrist addressed the idea of his being a leader, though clearly he does not enjoy talking about himself.
"I think the more you kind of move up the grid as far as age compared to guys younger than you, or experienced-wise if you have more experience, it's kind of an unsaid thing," Zobrist said. "If you want to help guys, you try and kind of teach them some of the things you've learned about the game, about this environment, about your business here, things that have worked and things that haven't worked.
"I think just sharing your experiences and trying to guide younger guys and help them try to avoid some of the mistakes that you've made can be helpful. They're going to have their own pathway, but I think that's just part of if you want to be a leader and one of the veteran guys that's helpful."
Zobrist acknowledged that some veteran players would prefer to not say anything and that not everybody would want to be a leader. Ultimately, he simply wants to be available.
"I want to be a guy if somebody does want to talk, I'm willing to share what I've learned," Zobrist said. "And I haven't learned everything. And I'm still learning every day. But I certainly can try and help avoid some of the struggles that I've had in the game here and also some of the things that have worked. Try and help them see the things that have worked for me."
Zobrist came to the Rays in 2006 (then the Devil Rays) in the deal that sent Aubrey Huff to the Astros. After a brief period in the Tampa Bay farm system, he arrived to the Major Leagues in time to play 52 games at shortstop and earn the nod as the starter heading into the '07 season.
Then the struggles began. Zobrist got sent to Triple-A Durham after hitting just .148 in April. Though he did return to the Majors that season, he hit just .155 over 31 games.
Zobrist, 32, remembered not exactly being all ears around veteran players when he was younger.
"I think there were probably more guys when I first got into the league who wanted to say things to me and did say things to me, but I wasn't paying attention, because you kind of think you have it all figured out," Zobrist said. "You realize later on that you should have been paying more attention to some of those things."
Fortunately for Zobrist and Tampa Bay, his fortunes began to turn around the next season, which coincided with the arrival of two veterans to the newly minted Rays -- Eric Hinske and Cliff Floyd.
"Both of them were part-time players," Zobrist said. "They went out of their way that year to help me to prepare to get in the game and be ready. And another [veteran] guy who comes to mind is Gabe Kapler. He was with us for a few years. He had spent a lot of time in the league. And he was definitely one of those guys willing to share his expertise about the things that worked and didn't work."
Even though Zobrist played in just 62 games in 2008, he hit 12 home runs. He had never been much of a power threat prior to that season, but a switch seemed to flip, and the power continued. Playing time followed.
"I gained a lot of confidence after 2008, but it wasn't a cocky confidence," Zobrist said. "It wasn't like, 'I'm going to do that better next year'; it was more resigned to the fact that I don't know what kind of opportunities I'm going to get in 2009, after 2008.
"Certainly I felt like I was going to be on the big league club. But I knew that the way the game works, it's a 'What have you done for me lately?' game. So I knew that every at-bat, every start, every time I got a chance to be on the field, it was important for me to stay focused and really be at my best."
Zobrist has never forgotten what failure felt like. If another player were to ask him advice about playing in the Major Leagues, Zobrist's No. 1 suggestion would be to strive to stay in a present state of mind.
"When you're struggling, you get out of sync very easily," Zobrist said. "Your rhythm isn't there; your patience isn't there. You feel uncomfortable. You feel out of place. When you feel that way, you feel out of place. You're in your own head, and everything else is flying by so quickly that you can't decide even one thing to do, let alone being able to do more than one thing.
"Everybody gets there at times where the game is moving so quickly you can't catch up or you can't grab a hold of the one thing you can control. But when you're in the zone, I think it's more of a feeling like you can control anything you want to control in the game and decide to make that play this way, that way, however you want to do it. You feel like you have a lot more control."
Zobrist has gained more control and wisdom over the years. And he now passes that knowledge on to those seeking it. Just don't go to Zobrist seeking chrome.
"He's all about team and he's really unique, and I don't even know where we would be without him," Maddon said.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Zobrist's wife, Julianna, sings anthem at Trop
Posted October 14, 2013
ST. PETERSBURG -- The last time Julianna Zobrist sang the national anthem at Tropicana Field her husband, Ben, took center stage, blasting a walk-off two-run homer in the 11th inning. Could Tampa Bay, down 0-2 to Boston in the American League Division Series, perhaps get a repeat?
"I have quite the bit to live up to I guess don't I?," Julianna said shortly after singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to Monday's Game 3. "No, these guys, they have it. They don't need luck. I'm just glad I get to be on the field with him. How cool is that? How many wives get to accompany their husbands onto their work space?"
A Christian alternative recording artist, Julianna was last on the Rays' home field on Sept. 7, 2012, and she got a big hug from Ben -- who uses her music as his walk-up song -- after stepping off the field on Monday night.
"The anthem in and of itself is powerful enough, but to have my husband out there and to sing it and hear all these voices was just phenomenal," she said. "I'm really blessed. Really glad they asked me."
Julianna came back out to sing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch.
Rays senior advisor Dick Crippen delivered the ceremonial first pitch to a boisterous crowd at Tropicana Field. Crippen is a 49-year veteran of broadcasting Tampa Bay sports and joined the Rays in December 1999.
Zobrist named reserve to AL All-Star squad
Posted July 8, 2013
ST. PETERSBURG -- Ben Zobrist will be the Rays' lone representative at the 2013 All-Star Game.
And Rays manager Joe Maddon fully endorsed the pick.
"I love the selection from the perspective that a complete game matters, it's not just about batting average," Maddon said. "Ben personifies the complete baseball player and has done so year in and year out. It's great to see him recognized for it."
The announcement came during Saturday's MLB All-Star Selection Show presented by Taco Bell on FOX. Zobrist found out the news earlier when he went into Maddon's office to meet with the Rays manager and Andrew Friedman, executive vice president of baseball operations.
"I didn't know what they wanted to talk about to be honest," Zobrist said. "I thought there was going to be other people coming into the meeting, too. Whenever that happens, there's usually a few other guys that come into the room and we talk about whatever, various things about the team or whatever. I was just shocked. I didn't really expect it.
"I was really puzzled as to why I was coming into the principal's office before the game. When they showed me the envelope and said that -American League manager Jim- Leyland had selected me as one of the guys to come off the bench possibly -- it's a huge honor."
Surprised, maybe, but Zobrist also remained confident of his ability.
"I don't feel like I've necessarily played the way I'm capable of playing up to this point, but obviously I still feel like I can help the club win," Zobrist said. "And hopefully if we win that game, we could possibly make it to the World Series and that would give us home-field advantage. It's an important game still. I look forward to being there and seeing what I can do."
The Rays' "Super Utility Man" -- as Maddon long ago tabbed Zobrist -- joined the team as one of Leyland's picks.
"I think Ben Zobrist is a very, very good player, and he happens to be able to play everywhere," Leyland said. "He's a switch-hitter that plays everywhere."
Ironically, Zobrist got drilled by a pitch from Tigers starter Rick Porcello on Sunday at Tropicana Field, ostensibly at the command of Leyland. Zobrist smiled when asked if he could find some humor in the situation of being picked by Leyland less than a week after the incident that prompted Porcello to receive a six game suspension.
"I find a lot of humor in the selection based on that," Zobrist said. "I can't wait to talk to Mr. Leyland to thank him for a couple of different things. No, it's really just going to be an honor to be in the same clubhouse as so many great players. And just to be a part of that game is really special for any player."
Zobrist's announcement ended the speculation about who might be this year's Rays representative, or representatives, as several players are having good seasons.
Other Rays who appeared to have a good shot included Evan Longoria, Yunel Escobar, James Loney and Matt Moore.
Based on the emphasis now placed on winning the Midsummer Classic, Zobrist, who played in the 2009 All-Star Game, is a perfect pick for a manager hoping to add to the flexibility of his team.
Zobrist can play myriad positions, most notably shortstop, second base and right field. He played in a career-high 157 games in 2012 and distinguished himself as the first player to start at least 45 games at three different positions in the field.
"I just assume it will be similar to some of the things that I do here," Zobrist said. "Only this way it will be coming into the game late in the game if I get an opportunity. And maybe possibly playing a position I haven't played recently. … I'll just have to kind of be flexible and be willing to do whatever they ask me to do. I look forward to the opportunity."
Zobrist had plans for the All-Star break prior to learning about his selection to the team.
"I was just going to go home, relax in Nashville with family and friends," Zobrist said. "This will be a fun little trip in between that time. I really am shocked and excited for the opportunity."
From Saturday, July 6 to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each League's All-Star roster.
And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
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Unfortunately for Longoria, he will wear the label as the Rays' most deserving player to not make the squad. But he plays third base, a position headed by Detroit's Miguel Cabrera.
Meanwhile, Moore is having an All-Star-caliber year. He improved to 12-3 with a 3.42 ERA following 6 1/3 shutout innings in the Rays' 3-0 victory over the White Sox on Saturday night.
Moore did not sound as if felt like he had been on the receiving end of a snub.
"No, I mean I think that those decisions were all subject to people's opinions and things like that," Moore said. "By no means do I feel right taking away from anybody who did make the team. I'm very happy for Zobrist. He's a great player to take from this team as far as winning one game. He can make a difference. Very versatile. Can do a lot of different things. I'm extremely happy for Ben and hope that we can a win in the All-Star Game and that will help set us up nice for the playoffs."
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Ben Zobrist: Top 100 Players in MLB Today
Posted March 6, 2013
Ben Zobrist is the poster boy for underrated ballplayers in MLB today.
By FanGraphs' reckoning, the only two players in baseball with better WARs than Zobrist since 2009 are Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols. Baseball-Reference.com's version of the stat has Zobrist as the best player in baseball since 2009.
It actually makes perfect sense. Zobrist owns a solid .361 wOBA over the last four seasons, and he's hit 77 homers and stole 74 bases. It was business as usual for him in 2012, as he finished with a .365 wOBA, 20 homers and 14 steals.
Zobrist is also capable of providing defensive value at several different positions. Due to that and his ability to hit and run the bases, Zobrist is a perfect utility man and an extremely valuable all-around player.
Interview - Julianna Zobrist: Crazy? Hardly. Fearless? Definitely.
Posted August 20, 2013
As the bass kicks up, the synthesised techno-pop sounds pile on and the echoing, electronically masked background vocals slide in, the last thing you'd ever expect the music to be is contemporary Christian. The club-mix sound is only part of the unique output of Julianna Zobrist (wife to Tampa Bay Rays' rightfielder Ben Zobrist, for those who follow sports more than music), and the message is unapologetically Christian, appealing to the younger market with a mainstream sound. Having taken some time off for a new baby daughter, the Zobrists' second child, Julianna is back in the studio, with a new EP in the offing, "Say It Now," with a post-modern sound and rare and honest introspection.
Say It Now is a very divergent sound from what one would normally attribute to Contemporary Christian Music. It's got a very synth-pop dance-mix thing going for it.
Who are your musical influences, because I can't imagine they're within CCM.
I was actually trained classically, growing up -- classical music and opera, which is hilarious. But I always listened to Michael Jackson and Gloria Estefan and people who would make me dance. The Ting Tings. My taste in music now and through college has always been very eclectic. I love The Black Keys. I love the musical sounds of Lady Gaga. Musically, these people inspire me.
I feel like there's an opportunity in Christian music to have a fun new sound out there. It's definitely out there in the mainstream market, and it needs to be out there in the Christian world too.
You mentioned you were trained operatically. That makes sense, because as I'm listening to "Safe" I was thinking there was a very Amy Lee / Evanescence sound going on with this song, a very goth kind of sound -- which is something else you don't hear in the CCM market.
Yeah, definitely! A lot of my music that I write, I write on keyboard first. I've played classical piano for twenty years now, so usually my musical influence is stemming from piano. So a lot of the time when I write, I tend to write in more of a poetic format, or a classical format, and then I have to revamp my songs to be "Verse, Chorus. Verse, Chorus. Verse, Chorus, Chorus." (laughs)
The title track, "Say It Now"... What I get out of that is a very "girl empowerment" message. Is that what you were aiming for with that? It seems almost obvious.
Yes. And no. In a way, yes, because there is, I think, a lot of pressure that women put on each other today -- unnecessary pressure -- to fit into a mold if they're a Christian. If you're a Christian girl, you look a certain way and you act a certain way. You get married young, you have children -- and you home-school your children if you're really godly -- and you definitely don't dye your hair pink. It's like we've made good things that God has given us that we've made idols, essentially, instead of embracing the gifts that God has given us. We need to use those gifts as platforms to bring people to the gospel. Being beautiful and a godly woman, that's not the end of the story. The end of the story is sharing Christ with people who don't know him.
So I wanted girls to feel less empowered to embrace who they are -- a lot of the Christian market today is pushing "You're beautiful, you're beautiful, because God made you that way" -- and that's true, but if that's the end of the story, then we're left with just ourselves. And it can't be that way. It needs to end with God's commission to us -- Jesus' commission to us to go out and teach the gospel and tell other people about Him. That, in the end, is what we need to be bold about. And to be able to do that, we have to be able to share our weaknesses with each other. We can't pretend to be so perfect.
I seemed to hear more of these same themes in "Only You" -- the whole "wrong direction, image-conscious" thing.
I didn't really write that song with that in mind. I actually wrote that song when we were on the road. We were playing the Yankees and I was laying on our hotel bed and looking out at everything, and thinking, What if this all ended tomorrow? What if baseball was no more? What would I have, and would I really be able to say that God is all that I wanted in the first place? And the answer at that time was, no, it was going to be heartbreaking for me. God was graciously reminding me of another idol I had in my life. He's so patient with me, and was revealing to me that I'm holding on to the world too tightly. "This is Mine. I've given you this to be a platform for My Name. Don't hold onto this, hold onto Me."
Probably the song I've listened to the most from the upcoming EP, after "Say It Now," is "Crazy/Fearless," which really addresses the calling, and to "be bold so the world can hear us." Hasn't the world heard it, and isn't there already a wall of resistance up against it?
In the wrong way, yes. There's a lot of dogmatic people out there that are not emphasizing the true gospel. The true gospel has nothing to do with how great we are, and that's what drives a wedge between us and non-believers. I think people look at Christians and think, "Oh, she's so perfect, and she's got it all together. She has the perfect this..." And we're not portraying ourselves correctly, especially if you're honest with yourself. When I'm honest with myself about my heart, I'm seeing God the way that He is and the fact that He reached down and pulled me out of the darkness and into His light. There is nothing about my own strength that made that happen. We need that humility. I think society is aching for that humility. They're not fooled. We're kind of saying that we've earned it in some way. Even though our words may not say that, we live that way. And they shouldn't see hypocrisy. They should see a humble woman that knows her seat before the Lord and that knows that there's not an ounce of me that deserves him. There's not an ounce of me that is good or that has pleased God in some way -- it was purely his mercy and graciousness that plucked me out, to save me and to rescue me. I think if we lived with that gospel on our mouths, the world would see us a lot differently.
You've been exposed to a lot of different ideas, and a lot of different options. With that in mind, today, why are you a Christian?
Why am I a Christian? For many of the reasons I just said. I do not claim one tiny bit of my salvation. I know that it's not from me, because even on my best of days I still don't love the Lord the way that He deserves to be loved, and I don't want Him the way that He should be wanted, and I don't depend on Him the way that He deserves to be depended on. On our best of days, we're far from holy; we're far from being pleasing in God's eyes. It's not until He has chosen us, and saved us. It's not until that moment that he covered me with His Grace and with His Son's blood that now He sees me as His child. It makes me want to cry every time I talk about it. It just blows my mind.
So why am I a Christian? I guess you'd have to ask the Lord that. I don't know why He's given me this. I don't. But I'm so thankful that He did.
With baseball season in full swing, keeping Ben's schedule full, are you going to be able to break away and do any touring to promote the new music?
Yes, I am. I'm working out a lot to get myself in shape after having a baby -- (laughs) -- and get my voice back in shape. we book our shows as much as we can with the baseball schedule. I do a lot of shows in Florida and in the city. But we hold family in very high priority, way above career, so we try to coordinate those as best as we can.
Keep Fighting the Good Fight
Bless you both and ill meet you April 1st
I will be hosting a speaking engagement at BCS Gayla
Peace, Rich Benes (email@example.com)
Review: Julianna Zobrist - Say It Now EP
Posted July 25, 2012
Every once in a while, an album, in whatever genre, hits at you from left field, and your preconceptions and stereotypes are changed. Julianna Zobrist, wife of baseball player Ben Zobrist, released her latest album Say It Now EP to digital outlets earlier this year; and her upbeat and inspiring dance tracks and slower meditative piano based ballads filled with biblical truth and topics about the human heart have certainly shaped my thinking in more ways than one. With her style of music likened to Plumb, Beckah Shae and Superchick; Say It Now EP will give Julianna more accolades that she will ever know! As said by Julianna on her website: '…We were created for the divine purpose of living our lives out loud. No matter our personality or life situation, we are on earth to be a testament and witness of Christ and His power…'. Life is meant to be celebrated simple because God gave us breath, and these six offerings are just the place to get up out of your seat and rock on for Jesus.
Starting off with the groovy "Behind Me", with layers of electronic synth and passionate vocals; Julianna delves into the fact that as Christians we are made a new creation in Jesus- hence we should not live in the ways of the world anymore, they are to be put behind us '…can somebody tell me how to move on with this life an truly be free, I'm going crazy, trying to find my way again, I gotta leave it all behind me…' Jesus wipes our slates clean and it's a fantastic notion! What a great thing to celebrate! One of my favourite tracks on this short but sweet EP, this electric start gives me chills, and has me commending Julianna for this boldness in musical diversity!
The title track "Say It Now" is next, and utilises music as if it was an Owl City track, including plenty of synth and remix effects. It's fun to move and dance to, however the subject matter is anything but light! With an inspiring message attached encouraging young people, especially young girls, to speak their minds and be themselves, because they are beautiful and God loves them; Julianna's song will no doubt propel her into the world of being a role model. As Julianna delves into the heart behind the song '…"Say It Now" is a "fist pumper" that will get you moving, but it also addresses something about which I am passionate – PURPOSE – your purpose as a God created human being. We are not here just to exist. We are not just parents, spouses, or beautiful people with careers. You have something to say, so Say it Now…'; we are met with an honest and moving description and prophecy of what God thinks about and sees in us. He encourages us to be '…more than beautiful…you've got something to say…be more than typical…'. We were made to do more than just exist, and this song is a welcome reminder!
"Safe" is a song sung directly to God, and Julianna exposes her vulnerability against a reverbing keyboard, and a haunting melody, where she sings out that '…I am safe with You…' referring to Jesus. '…I've been bought at a price…' is also a powerful lyric, and one that stood out to me while I was soaking in the lyrics; as while we were still sinners Christ died for us, and we did not deserve it; however He died out of love. That is true sacrifice and Julianna brings out our gratitude. Vocally at her peak stepping into Tiffany Arbuckle Lee-like territory; the piano ballad "Safe" is anything but. It's confrontational, uncomfortable, yet refreshing and invigorating as well!
After the half way point, Julianna speaks about love in "It's Love". From the perspective of a couple who are working on their relationship; this song is about going back to the basics. Love is all that matters when everything is taken away. With parallels to God's relationship with the church; Julianna reminds us that everyone wants to be loved, and Jesus is the One who loves us unconditionally '…when you look in my eyes, it's love…'. As a track that could be played on the dance floor, Julianna's confronting lyrics about love and how it can affect a couple, and how the act of loving someone takes a toll on the person spiritually, emotionally and physically; is something that is essential to think about. Whether we know it or not, we all love someone or something. This song is an ideal song between a man and his wife.
"Crazy Fearless" is the boldest track on the album, musically and lyrically. With a lot of imagery present in Julianna's captivating storytelling; the listener is encouraged to stand up for what you believe in, even if you will be ridiculed. The message of '…be brave until the world can hear us, I dare us to be courageous, let's get crazy; crazy fearless…' is one of stepping out in faith. Julianna then explores the dichotomy of serving two masters, and which one will we serve when they are both at our disposal. A reference to serving God and money, "Crazy Fearless" is crazy in its musical direction (in a good way!), yet also crazy in its lyrical direction in the sense that the topic of fearlessly spreading God's love and the gospel is scary, yet exciting as well! After all, the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 16-20 was a crazy idea to the disciples- but as God's plan is, it was crazily good!
The album closer is "Only You", and is a perfect finish to an energetic and fun EP. Dealing with the themes of chasing after material things and the fact that only God makes us happy and fulfills us, Juliana cries out '…I want You and only You, and nothing else would ever do…'. Jesus is our cornerstone, and this electronic guitar based ballad gives the listener and me that God is our reason for living. Without Him, life does not make sense. We should all be thankful for the sacrifice that was made over 2000 years ago; and give Him praise and adoration for it!
With sublime musical experimentation as well as honest ballads, full of electronic effects as well; Julianna Zobrist has compiled a different album that is sure to grab the attention of many. Say It Now EP is very unique, and I am sold on the gorgeous vocals, guitar hooks and vulnerable lyrical content. A full album later in the future will definitely be interesting, particularly if Julianna stays close to her dance roots. Until then, though, do yourself a favour and pick this one up from iTunes. You will not go wrong!
Score: 4.5/5
Track Listing:
- Behind Me
- Say It Now
- Safe
- It's Love
- Crazy Fearless
- Only You
Favourite Tracks: Behind Me, Say It Now, Safe, Only You
Where should Ben Zobrist play in 2013?
Posted January 4, 2013
TAMPA (FBW)—Shortstop? Outfield? Ben Zobrist can play anywhere, which gives the Rays extra flexibility this offseason.
Among the many questions facing the Rays this offseason is one that's unique to them: what position is their most valuable position player in three of the last four seasons going to play in 2013? That the question even exists is a testament to Ben Zobrist, who led Rays hitters in Baseball-Reference's wins above replacement in each of the last two seasons as well as 2009 and is viable anywhere outside of the battery. However, his ultimate destination has less to do with Zobrist than with the Rays' options elsewhere on the diamond, specifically at shortstop, second base, and in the outfield corners.
The proper approach with any player with defensive flexibility is to push them as far to the right on the defensive spectrum as possible without significantly undermining your team's ability to turn balls in play into outs. For Zobrist, that would mean playing him at shortstop. Rays manager Joe Maddon did exactly that starting in early August of this past season when injuries and underperformance effectively eliminated the Rays' other options at the position.
Prior to August, Zobrist hadn't started more than six games at shortstop since 2008, hadn't played it at all since 2009, and generally graded out as a poor defender at the position, the only one he played in his first three major league seasons. However, he acquitted himself well in his return to the position over the final two months of the 2012 season, and has matured to such a degree on both sides of the ball in the intervening four years that he is not only viable at the position, but could very well be the best all-around shortstop in the majors should he spend all of 2013 at the position.
That would make it seem like keeping Zobrist at shortstop is a no-brainer, but it's actually a bit more complicated than that. Zobrist looked good to the eye and the advanced stats in his 47 starts at shortstop over the final two months of the 2012 season, but there's no guarantee that, in his age-31 season, he'd be above average in the field over a full season at a position at which he has made exactly 162 major league starts spread over five seasons. He has, however, established himself as an elite defender at second base and in right field. So, even if Zobrist's performance at the plate wouldn't be effected by a full-time move to shortstop (he hit .303/.381/.527 after making the switch in August), it seems fair to assume that his ability to convert balls in play into outs in the field would be diminished, thus diminishing his overall value in raw numbers.
Normally, that decrease in fielding performance would come out in the wash with the value added by moving a superior bat to a weaker-hitting position, but capitalizing on position scarcity is a two-step process. Step One is finding a player like Zobrist who can provide above-average performance on the right side of the defensive spectrum. Step Two is finding other players who can provide average-or-better performance to his left on the spectrum. It's Step Two that could prove challenging to the Rays, such that it may not be worth sacrificing those extra outs Zobrist can convert at second base.
Put it this way: Are the Rays' options to replace Zobrist at second base any better than their options to replace him at shortstop? Every other infielder on the Rays' 40-man roster is not only capable of playing shortstop on an everyday basis, but most of them derive the bulk of their value from that ability.
Taking each one in turn, Reid Brignac is a slick fielder, but will be 27 in January and is a career .227/.268/.317 hitter in the major leagues. Sean Rodriguez, who turns 28 in April, has been better at the plate but his .229/.306/.361 line as a Ray would have been no better than average at shortstop in 2012 and below average at any other infield position. Elliot Johnson is solid in the field, but his career-best batting line in 2012 was shy of Rodriguez's line above and he'll be 29 in March. Using Clay Davenport's Davenport Translations, which attempt to project minor league performance to the major league level, former number-one pick Tim Beckham's performance at Triple-A in 2012 would have been roughly on par with Johnson's in the majors (Beckham's translation: .246/.305/.346). Hak-Ju Lee, who came over in the Matt Garza trade and just turned 22 earlier this month, might be an outstanding fielder, but that didn't translate to his defensive metrics in 2012 and Davenport translates his production at Double-A this past season to .242/.296/.335 in the major leagues.
It would make no sense to keep Zobrist at shortstop only to play some combination of those five men at second base when the reverse would be the superior defensive alignment, as much because of Zobrist's superior play at the keystone as his double-play partners' work at short. Playing Zobrist at short would only make sense if the team could upgrade on that quintet at the keystone, and the only viable free agents on the market right now who can play second but not short are Jeff Keppinger, who is due for some correction in his batting average after hitting .332 on balls in play in 2012, roughly forty points above his career rate, and Kelly Johnson.
Those two might make decent low-cost platoon at the keystone, but neither on his own is particularly compelling -- certainly not as compelling as luring Marco Scutaro away from a reunion with the Giants or even taking a chance on Stephen Drew, either of whom would keep Zobrist at second base.
What's more, if you take financial concerns into consideration, the Rays might actually benefit most from putting Zobrist in right field. Because of the relative depth of production and the free agent market at their respective positions, it wouldn't be hard for the Rays to land a right fielder who could out-hit Scutaro, Drew, Keppinger, or Johnson, but it would likely be more expensive to sign that player, or, to trade for someone such as the Indians' Shin-Soo Choo, the Twins' Josh Willingham, or even top Royals prospect Wil Myers (each of whom would cost quality players in addition to the salaries of the first two) than it would be to ink the aforementioned middle infielders, who at the very least would serve as upgrades on the five in-house infielders listed above.
The only extreme groundball pitcher in the Rays' rotation is Alex Cobb. David Price and James Shields both had above-average groundball rates in 2012, but those were inconsistent with their previous career rates, where were fairly neutral. That suggests that having Zobrist's above-average range in right could be more valuable to the Rays than his similarly excellent play at second base.
Deciding where to play Zobrist in 2013 is thus likely to be one of the last that the Rays make this offseason. Knowing that Zobrist can slot in just about anywhere, they can explore a full range of options for the middle infield and outfield corners and simply slot Zobrist into the hardest position to fill, which might be shortstop, but it also might not be.
Cliff Corcoran is one of SBN's Designated Columnists. His work also appears at SI.com. Follow him at @cliffcorcoran.
Tampa Bay Rays player, recording artist wife balance busy careers with family
Posted September 28, 2012
TAMPA (FBW)—Ben Zobrist has spent most of his career bouncing around from one position to another on the baseball field.
A utility player for the Tampa Bay Rays, Zobrist has established himself as one of the game's most versatile players, starting every position except for pitcher and catcher during his seven years with the team. From one game to the next, Zobrist has seldom known where he was going to play—only that his team needed him to fill that role.
"It may not be the most comfortable thing at the moment to be moving around, but obviously for my career and for our team in general, it's great,"
Zobrist told Florida Baptist Witness in an Aug. 23 interview. "You'll take a little bit of discomfort in the moment if you know that in the end it's going to work out better."
That philosophy spills over into Zobrist's family life as well.
As parents to two young children, Ben and his wife Julianna often lead a harried life. During the offseason, the family lives in Nashville, Tenn. During the baseball season, they stay in Tampa most of the time, unless they're traveling while Ben is on the road. Julianna and the kids, Zion (age 3) and Kruse (11 months), spend countless hours in hotels and airports.
They know the lifestyle involves sacrifices. But they're also willing to make those sacrifices to be together as a family as much as possible.
"Kids are very flexible. I guess God made them that way," Ben said. "They just adapt to whatever their environment makes for them. We take them all over the place, and they've kind of gotten used to traveling."
Ben's not the only one with the busy work schedule. A Christian recording artist, Julianna released her extended play "Say It Now" earlier this summer. She's performing concerts, promoting her music, and writing a lot to complete her full album.
On a typical day when the Rays are in Tampa, Julianna wakes up about 8 a.m. to do a radio interview. The kids get up around 9 and eat breakfast with mom and dad. The Zobrists spend the morning together doing typical parent-child activities. One recent morning, Ben spent the day teaching Zion how to ride a bike without training wheels.
Ben heads to the ballpark in the afternoon, when it's naptime for the kids. Julianna then takes the children to Ben's game in the evening, and the family waits for him in the hallway outside the clubhouse when the game ends. They head home together and repeat the cycle the next day.
When the Rays are on the road, things get a bit more hectic. That's when the family has to make the most sacrifices in order to be together.
"The main thing was deciding that we wouldn't be apart from each other for longer than six days ever," Julianna told the Witness.
That means the family usually travels to one city per road trip to be with Ben.
"Jules flies with them by herself usually, which takes a lot of effort on her part just to get them through the airport," Ben said.
Julianna said the kids might have better sleep schedules and better eating habits if they stayed home all the time, but they wouldn't see their dad as much, and that's the greater priority for them.
One challenge for the family during the baseball season is being away from their home church, Community Bible Church in Nashville. Though Julianna and the kids make it back there a few times during the season, Ben seldom does.
"We love getting to go back there whenever we can," Julianna said. "It's always such a blessing whenever the kids and I get to go home, be able to go in and see familiar faces and hear our pastor. Quite a few people have gotten to visit us during the season as well."
The Zobrists said church members excel at keeping in touch with them during the season, encouraging them through text messages and e-mails and even making trips to Tampa to visit. Ben and Julianna—both children of pastors—also stay connected as much as possible by listening to online sermons from their pastor, Byron Yawn.
"It's hard enough, as much travel as we do, just to listen to the podcasts on a regular basis," Ben said. "But it takes effort. Anything worthwhile takes a little bit of effort."
That effort extends to the playing field as well, and plenty of baseball experts have noticed. Because of his flexibility and his combination of skills, Sports Illustrated columnist Joe Lemire recently labeled Ben as "one of the most valuable players in baseball."
The work he puts into his game and the way he strives to excel are reflections of his faith in Christ, Ben said.
"Like anybody else that goes and does their job, there's a way to do your job with excellence," he said. "You want to represent Christ well with doing your job, first and foremost, because that's what you're there to do."
very inspirational. May God continue to bless both of you in your careers. I especially enjoy your
walk-up music when watching the Rays on tv or at the Trop. My goal next year is to go to a Rays
home opener and am giving that idea some serious thought. Wishing your family a Merry Christmas.
Jim M
Visit with Zobrist makes young girl's day
Posted September 10, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG -- The star of Friday's game was back at Tropicana Field early Saturday afternoon, making Maya Ares the envy of Rays fans everywhere.
Who wouldn't want to hang for an hour or so with the guy whose 11th inning home run beat the Rangers the previous night?
Ben Zobrist arrived to work a few hours early to have lunch with 10-year-old Maya and her dad, Chris, who made the drive from their Brandon home.
"He's amaaaaazing," Maya said. "And dreamy."
They had sandwiches and cookies at a picnic table behind the Rays bullpen. Zobrist's wife Julianna came by with the kids, Zion and Kruse.
Maya and Zobrist raced in the tunnel outside the Rays clubhouse. Maya won.
"She's really fast," Zobrist said. "But I wasn't loose yet."
Maya took some swings in the outfield with Rays strength and conditioning coach Kevin Barr and Barr's son Christopher. Zobrist showed her how to use the bullpen phone.
They stood near the Rays dugout during batting practice and had tickets to the game.
"This was a good experience," Chris Ares said. "It was fun. It was very nice of Ben and Julianna to do this."
Maya lost her mom in August 2011. Kristin Ares passed away from ovarian cancer in San Francisco during what was one of the last legs of a cross country trip.
"We bought a camper and hit the road," Chris said. "We tried to enjoy whatever life she had left. We were making our journey home when she took a turn for the worse."
They visited Birmingham, Ala., and Memphis. Went tubing in Missouri. They visited the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and Yellowstone and Glacier national parks. They watched the Rays play the Mariners in Seattle and rode dune buggies in Oregon.
The Rays were a big part of family life for the Ares. They attended games at the Trop, Kristin wearing her Carlos Peña jersey, Chris wearing his Evan Longoria jersey. Maya had an Akinori Iwamura jersey until he was traded. Then Zobrist became her favorite Ray. She wore her Ben Zobrist jersey Saturday.
Every year Maya tries to win the Take Ben Zobrist to School contest so she can meet her favorite Ray.
Maya received that wish Saturday thanks to Rays TV play-by-play man Dewayne Staats, who knows Chris, knows of what Maya has been through this past year and thought Zobrist could help brighten a little girl's day.
It was Zobrist who suggest they all do lunch. Why say hello when you can get to know someone and maybe bring a little joy to a dad and his daughter in what has been a pretty rough year?
"We touch each other's lives in various ways. That's the gift that baseball brings us," Zobrist said. "We can't spend time with everybody, but when we do we try to bring a smile to somebody's face, help them enjoy the game, help them enjoy life a little bit more. I think we all have opportunities to do that in our lives. And the other thing is it's rewarding for us. At the end of the day it's good to know that you tried to help somebody, tried to encourage somebody that day instead of living for yourself."
Maya was allowed to stay up late Friday night and watch all 11 innings of the Rays/Rangers game. She was still awake when Zobrist launched a ball into the right field seats.
Maya jumped up and yelled, "It's gone."
Then it was off to bed. She had a lunch date to keep.
Zobrist's blast gives Rays walk-off win in extra innings
Posted September 8, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG -- Julianna Zobrist started the game off by singing the National Anthem with Brother Norwood. Almost four hours later, Julianna's husband, Ben, finished off the game with a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the 11th.
Zobrist's blast gave the Rays a 3-1 win over the Rangers on Friday night before a crowd of 19,545 at Tropicana Field.
The Rays (76-62) have won five of their last six games and 20 of their last 30, remaining two games behind the American League East-leading Yankees and one back of the Orioles for the second Wild Card spot.
Mark Lowe entered the series opener for the Rangers to pitch the bottom of the 11th. B.J. Upton led off the inning and fell behind, 0-2, in the count before fighting back to draw a walk.
Going "0-2 to 4-2 is a concept that I love when we do it offensively, and I hate it when it happens against us," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It was a great at-bat by B.J. to start us off."
Maddon actually told Zobrist not to bunt prior to his at-bat.
"He said, 'If B.J. gets on, do not bunt," Zobrist said. "He said, 'swing away'."
Actually, the thought of not swinging away never entered Zobrist's mind.
"I wasn't thinking about bunting," Zobrist said. "I was thinking about what to do with a pitch."
Zobrist got ahead in the count, 2-0, when he connected on a fastball for his 16th home run of the season.
"He threw me two sliders, so I just had to be ready for the fastball if he threw it in a place I could hit it," Zobrist said. "I am just thankful that I was able to get enough of it to get out."
Zobrist's walk-off hit was the third of his career, but the first on a homer in career -- and his life, which explained Zobrist's emotional display rounding first when his right hand shot up in the air.
"That's the first time I've ever done it, never had a walk-off homer in my life," Zobrist said. "So regardless of whether it was Little League, high school, or college. I never did it.
Today was a fun day. I've thought about it, if it's ever going to happen. You know when you're in the moment, you're just trying to have a good quality at-bat, and I just feel very blessed we were able to win the game tonight."
Zobrist's bat ended what had been a highlight reel for the quality of pitching for both teams.
"It was a pitchers' duel out there all night," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "[The Rays] got the last blow. You never want to lose. It was a real good game. They had the last opportunity out and they got it done."
Derek Holland started for the Rangers and held the Rays hitless through 3 2/3 innings. But he fell behind, 3-1, to Evan Longoria with two outs in the fourth and the Rays' slugger ripped a 94-mph sinker deep into the left-field stands for his 11th home run of the season. That would be all the Rays could muster against Holland, who struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings while surrendering one run.
Meanwhile, Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson tossed four scoreless frames, before Michael Young connected on a 2-2 changeup, depositing the ball into the left-field stands for his seventh home run of the season to tie the score at 1.
Hellickson recorded his 17th quality start of the season -- holding the Rangers to one run on four hits in six innings in a no-decision.
Both bullpens were solid, particularly Tampa Bay's, as Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Fernando Rodney, and Wade Davis covered five scoreless innings, while allowing just one hit with eight strikeouts.
"They all had great stuff, not good stuff, great stuff across the board," Maddon said.
Davis, who earned the win, struck out the side in the 10th.
"That first inning out of Wade was about as electric as you're going to see out of any pitcher," Maddon said.
Davis then returned to pitch the 11th, allowing a leadoff single to David Murphy before striking out the next two hitters. Jose Molina then threw out Murphy attempting to steal second to end the inning.
"I think I was a little stiff from the long inning before," said Davis of the 11th. "I think they went through one or two pitchers, so it took me a little bit to get going, but we got it."
Since the All-Star break, the Rays' bullpen owns a Major League-best 1.39 ERA.
"We've got a lot of competitors down there," Davis said. "We've got a lot of guys who don't give in, ever. You're going to have success when you have guys like that. They're not having bad days every day, and if they are, they're going to come out and they're going to compete. It's pretty fun to watch."
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Road Manager Turned Recording Artist Talks About Her New Music and Why She's Staying Indie
Posted September 1, 2012
IAE: Please tell us where you're from and what influenced you to pursue a career in music?
JZ: I'm originally from Iowa and I grew up singing classical music. I was trained classically for about 12 years and I've always loved music. My mom said I could sing before I could talk. [laughs] Educationally I was trying to decide if I was going to go into microbiology or intomusic. I decided to audition at Belmont University and wound up getting accepted. While at Belmont I worked as a personal assistant to an artist named Plumb, as well as doing some road management on the side for another artist. That allowed me to get my feet wet in the industry, but it didn't take long for me to realize that my love was for performing.
IAE: Talk a little about what led you to become an artist?
JZ: When you're around the industry and involved in it you begin to see the holes. I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, and all of the dance artists and there was nothing in Christian music that I could listen to as a young girl growing up. Although there were several female recording artists (in Christian music), I didn't really get into their music because it was nothing that I could dance to. So, when I put out my first EP it was a shot in the dark because I wasn't really sure if it was going to be a success. In 2009, I put out The Tree and it was well received.
When I went into my latest project, it was awesome to have all these amazing stories from girls who have come up to me after shows and shared their hearts and struggles with me; even moms were sharing things. So, I definitely feel indebted to them for sharing their stories with me because it shaped my new project. I feel a good burden to communicate their stories and hopefully shed some truth on those issues, but in a fun way.
IAE: Tell us about your album, Say It Now.
JZ: I started working on the album in winter 2010 with music producer, David Garcia. I had planned to release the project in September 2011, but I found out that I was pregnant with my second child and had to push off the release date to spring 2012. My release date was literally a week before my delivery due date. It was a really great move because that whole summer I worked on the record and travelled back and forth from Florida to Nashville recording. Seth Mosley and I also went out to San Diego and recorded a song with Trey from P.O. D. After that, I still felt like something was missing from the project so I went into the studio with Ian Eskelin and the song that we wrote is called, Safe. That was the song I felt was missing. The song, Behind Me, is a very personal story about a girl who struggled a lot in high school and hung with the wrong crowd, but then she became a believer and God rescued her from the situation she was in. Unfortunately, the Christian community was the community that was unwilling to allow her to move on and be a different person.
IAE: What are some of the challenges you have faced as an indie artist?
JZ: The benefit of being signed to a major label is having that nice big fat check to do the album, and then having a schedule on when the songs need to be done by. However, they control your schedule and you could be touring 100 dates a year. Honestly, it sounds like a blast, but when you're the mother of two kids and your husband is on the road 8 months out of the year, touring just isn't an option for me. That is my reason for staying independent. The goal, for me, is to gain enough traction and develop my story enough to where the labels are approaching me. When that happens, I will be able to work out a deal that is best for my family.
Wife of Ben Zobrist a player on the Christian pop scene
Posted April 1, 2012
Baby showers and album releases seem to go together for Julianna Zobrist.
When she posed for the cover of her first CD, "The Tree," the wife of Tampa Bay Rays utility player Ben Zobrist was eight months pregnant with son Zion. And when she planned the September release of her second CD, "Crazy Fearless," she didn't know daughter Kruse Allegra would be arriving that same month.
"One day, I'll get the timing right," she says with her trademark infectious laugh.
Life is all over the map these days for Zobrist, 27, but no complaints here. "It's all good," says the woman known as "Jules." No, it's better than that. "It's awesome."
Two children: a healthy 3-year-old boy and a 7-month-old girl. An All-Star husband with a contract from a baseball team that values him. A rising career as a Christian pop singer that is building momentum with concert dates and two CDs. Homes in downtown St. Petersburg and Franklin, Tenn., right outside of music-crazy Nashville. Lots of support from a bustling extended family on both sides. And, the thing she considers most important, a shared faith that keeps the couple grounded and best friends.
Both are the offspring of preachers, growing up in solid Midwest homes where Christian values and beliefs were stressed. "Above all, we want to be a powerful witness together for the Lord," she says. "He's done so much for us, and we want people to know how amazing he is. Every day is a reminder how blessed we are."
On Easter Sunday, April 8, Zobrist will showcase her music – something she's been at since "I came out of the womb" -- in a free public concert at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa. Her husband, regrettably, can't be there. He'll be at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg with his fellow Rays, in a showdown with their archrivals, the New York Yankees.
The concert is part of a free family-friendly festival hosted by Relevant Church in Ybor City, which Zobrist attends occasionally. Besides the concert, the event also includes a kids' zone, an egg hunt, a live petting zoo, a come-as-you-are church service and several mobile food trucks.
"It's like the best day of the year. Easter is the resurrection of Christ, which is what our faith is built on," she says. "God is opening doors all the time, and this is one of them. I'm thrilled to be a part of it."
Relevant Church staff shares that love. Carl von dem Bussche Jr., creative arts pastor, asked Zobrist to come on board months ago. He had a connection because two members of his band, Arc the Sun – guitarist John B. Sutton and bassist Taylor Ard – also play with Zobrist's band.
"Not only is she talented artistically, she's also down-to-earth and super fun," he says. "Everyone just likes hanging with her because she's great to be around."
As for her music, he says, "Think Katy Perry. Cool, edgy, something you want to dance to. Twenty-somethings love her style. That's an audience we're trying to reach here, and she fits right in."
What impresses von dem Bussche the most about Zobrist, though, is her commitment to her spiritual life. Both she and her husband "wear their faith on their sleeves, without being overbearing or cheesy" about it, he says.
"They know their priorities. They're both very successful in what they do, but faith and family always comes first," he says. "That's something you don't always see in people who are in the public eye, or become celebrities in their fields. But with them, they built a foundation and they're holding to it."
That determination to keep their priorities straight was challenged when the couple scheduled Zobrist's cesarean section for Sept. 17. Though it was a vacation day for Ben, he ended up delaying his return to the team by a day because their infant daughter needed a procedure at All Children's Hospital. Some fans were irked because the team was in the midst of a crucial playoff race in the American League East.
"You get a lot of pressures in this business, even by some of our dearest fans," she concedes. "But that decision was a no-brainer for us. We would never compromise on something like that."
Happily, she says, "We got a lot more support than criticism."
Zobrist loves being a mom. Having two children is "definitely more fun, definitely more complicated" than when they had only Zion.
"I used to be able to wing it. Now I have to actually sit down and plan out my schedule," she says. For her husband, the wise and structured one, that's easy. But for the rocker, who just can't help dancing when the mood strikes, it requires a little more self-discipline.
"I guess I'll always be the wild one between the two of us," sighs Zobrist, known for her eclectic wardrobe and changing hairstyles.
So what's next? She doesn't intend to let her degree in commercial voice at Belmont University and her blooming music career go to waste. Her new CD, delayed due to Kruse's arrival, comes out April 10. Not only does she sing, she also co-wrote the songs. One of them, "Behind Me," will be her husband's walk-up song this season.
For now, she will find ways to fit the music in, maybe put out more singles on a consistent basis.
But a girl can dream about all the possibilities in a not-so-distant future.
"We're going to ride this baseball wave as long as we can," she says. "And then, maybe I can do this fulltime. There's no rush. Everything is so awesome, and I'm just enjoying it all."
Zobrist's 14th inning double gives rays 4-3 win over Mariners
Posted July 25, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Carlos Pena isn't the fastest runner, but after squandering several opportunities he represented Tampa Bay's best chance to end a long night against the Seattle Mariners.
Pena scored from first base on Ben Zobrist's 14th inning double down the right field line, sliding across home plate just ahead of Ichiro Suzuki's throw to give the Rays a 4-3 victory Friday.
"With the ball being where it was and with Ichiro out there, I didn't think we had much of a chance," Zobrist said.
But Suzuki's throw was off line and missed the cutoff man, forcing catcher Jesus Montero to field the ball on the first base side of the plate.
Montero scrambled to get into position to make the tag, but Pena just got in under it.
"Missing the cutoff permitted that to happen," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We got very fortuitous that particular moment."
The Rays went 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position and stranded the potential tying runs in those situations in the 10th, 11th and 12th innings.
B.J. Upton homered and drove two runs for Tampa Bay.
Pena singled off Tom Wilhelmsen with one out in the 14th, and Zobrist followed with his third hit of the game.
"It's kind of a relief when you win a game like that," said Zobrist, who walked twice and was hit by a pitch.
Zobrist reaches kids through Sandlot Club
Posted july 25, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG -- If there was one player on the Rays that knows fundamentals, it's Ben Zobrist.
The utility man who can play all around the field and bat from both sides of the plate helped pitcher David Price retire the first four batters in Thursday's 6-0 win over the Indians. Afterward, Zobrist met up with children from his Sandlot Club to teach them fundamentals of the game.
"You can learn some things from watching their innocence and just the way they do things -- there's just not a whole lot of complication about it," Zobrist said. "For me, it's kind of an energizing thing."
The day started with a tour through the clubhouse and training rooms, where jerseys of the kids' favorite players hung. They then returned out to the field, where they played a pickup game of hardball.
"My ERA got inflated somewhat," Zobrist, who pitched the entire time, joked. "I don't take it to heart too much. We had a fun time, and it's just fun to see all the kids out there."
The game itself was full of entertainment. Though Zobrist got touched up for a few homers, there were still some great plays in the field and smiles on the kids' faces by the end.
The Sandlot Cub was created in 2010 by Zobrist to help at-risk children in the community learn teamwork through basic baseball skills.
"These kids are learning how to cheer for each other, how to encourage, to basically teach each other the game as they go about it," Zobrist said. "All those things are really important in the game of baseball. They don't do everything perfect, but that's part of the reason I love playing."
The Pinellas County Police Athletic League, whose mission is to provide youths with alternatives from violence and games, is partnering with the Sandlot Club.
Julianna opens up for Casting Crowns at Atlanta Fest
Posted October 31, 2011
In college, I worked with artists and would watch them perform from backstage. I would be trying to play it "cool" and not make a fool out of myself while I was singing along. So to get to be the artist this time was an amazing experience because I could feel the energy of the more than 8,000 people there, remembering my own experiences watching festivals. Even during the soundcheck to see people walking by and then stop to jam with us was a blast for me.
I've always been pretty confident that I could be in a closet performing and be equally as in to the music as when people are watching. But after Atlanta Fest I'm not so sure! The fans were so electric and so alive, it felt as if I was best friends with them all. The highlight for me was walking off stage to my table and a having a line out the tent of beautiful people that I got to hug and talk about life with. Your stories are my inspirations! So thank you Atlanta Fest!
It's A Girl!!!
Posted October 31, 2011
Kruse Allegra was born September 19 at 10am. She was a chunker just like Zion, weighing in at 8lbs 2oz. Ben and I actually had a bet going on her weight, and I nailed it dead on. I wanted music playing during the delivery process, and the amazing All Childrens' nurses decided on Pink - a perfect choice I thought. The delivery room was bumping! So Kruse is here, and she is cuter than cute, hates being cold (like her Mama), loves being snuggled by her Daddy, and is already super protected by her brother. Life is good!
Baseball and Ben
Posted October 31, 2011
The Tampa Bay Rays found themselves in the playoffs after the most exciting day in baseball. "The last day of the regular season was an unbelievable experience for the fans and the players. It was the craziest day of baseball that I've ever been a part of. It was an emotional roller coaster, culminating in the most shocking entrance into the playoffs ever by any team in the history of the game, making it a day I will never forget. It was a tough loss, especially after becoming one of the most improbable cinderella stories."
Ben and Julianna Zobrist Welcome Son Zion Benjamin
Posted February 12, 2009
Christian singer Julianna Zobrist has shared with CBB that she and her husband, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Ben Zobrist, are proud parents after welcoming son Zion Benjamin Zobrist at 2:23 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1st. He weighed in at 8 lbs., 15 oz and was 21 ¾ inches long. The 24-year-old tells that Zion's "birth was amazing. I was able to deliver him completely naturally and it was by far the most intense and spectacular experience I have ever been able to be a part of."
"Ben was right next to me the whole time, coaching and encouraging me through the entire labor and delivery. And now we are speechless and honored to be able to hold and love our little Zion! God deserves much awe and reverence for being such a Creator!"
The pregnancy was announced in October. Zion is the couple's first child.
Julianna's first album, The Tree, was released last December. Ben, 27, began his professional baseball career in 2004 after being drafted by the Houston Astros and was traded to the Rays in 2006.