It remains to be definitive whether the most super of utility men Ben Zobrist has retired from baseball, but Jon Heyman reports that the former World Series MVP currently has no plans to play in 2020.
Ben Zobrist hasn’t announced anything but is at home and has no plans to play. Very nice career: started versatility trend and was rewarded for it, won 2 rings
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 12, 2020
Although Zobrist worked his way back late in the 2019 season after missing time for a personal family matter, it was going to be an uphill climb for him to be in a place to contribute in a significant way in 2020 as he turns 39. In those situations, it tends to be the case that a minor league deal and a Spring Training try-out are the most realistic route, but some guys decide that isn’t for them. Zobrist has certainly earned the right to decide for himself when enough is enough.
We’ll see what happens, but he’ll always be beloved by Cubs fans.
And if 2019 was indeed it for Zobrist, there are definitely some worse ways you could go out than striking out Yadier Molina with the final *pitch* of your career, which was also the final pitch of the season and the Joe Maddon era in Chicago:
https://twitter.com/CubsSalvajes/status/1178430866147729408