CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Cubs utility player Ben Zobrist met with reporters Sunday morning to talk about his return to Chicago after a trying personal time.
The Cubs activated Zobrist, 38, from the restricted list late last week. He’s been out since May while going through divorce proceedings but did some recent minor-league rehab work.
The central Illinois native joined the Cubs as they prepared to finish a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Zobrist was not in Sunday's starting lineup but was available to play.
Zobrist, who appeared upbeat, discussed:
--His return to the physical setting of Wrigley Field: “I’m excited to be back in the clubhouse with the guys. I got to go out on the field last night to take a few ground balls. … Wrigley Field’s a special place. I don’t take it for granted. I’m excited to be back.”
--His potential role helping the Cubs get into the playoffs: “The timing is right for me to be here now, and I feel good about that. I feel good about just doing what I can to help the club down the stretch here.”
--Being grateful to the Cubs organization for giving him time to deal with his personal life: “There was no, ‘We’ll be waiting,’ or anything like that. It was just, ‘You’ve got to do what’s most important for you and your family.’”
--His physical condition: “I’m in a good place physically, but my swing, timing-wise, is probably not where I’d love it to be. But that’s the kind of thing, it changes daily. In season, it changes daily, whether you’ve been playing for five months by now or not. … I’ll do the best I can to catch fire.”
--Whether he has anything to prove: “I don’t think I have anything to prove, personally, with my career or to anybody else. My priorities have always been the same. … My faith is important, my family’s important, and my career comes after those two things.”
--Being a well-known athlete trying to deal with private issues: “You don’t plan for struggles or anything like that, but there’s no perfect family in life. There’s no perfect scenario. I’m fortunate in that I’m not alone. I have so much support. I believe in a God who heals broken relationships.”
--Keeping general tabs on the Cubs during his absence: “I just checked the scores and I checked how guys were doing. I always have checked the standings.”