RaysBaseball.com:Zobrist out to prove 2009 was no fluke

Pan to Nashville’s Community Bible Church, where Zobrist and his wife, Julianna, have been members for the past three years. After a men’s breakfast that saw him speak to kids and their fathers about sports, baseball and keeping everything in perspective, came the main event.

“We had a Wiffle Ball game after that,” Zobrist said. “I pitched. I was the all-time pitcher.”

For the record, Zobrist won’t be asked to give Tampa Bay any mound work this coming season, nor will he put on the tools of ignorance — catching is the one position where Zobrist draws the line. Other than those two spots, Zobrist doesn’t care where he plays, even though it appears he’s earmarked for second base.

Playing one position, now that’s a novel concept, and one he’ll embrace — if that’s what the Rays want.

“I’m ready [if needed to play just one position],” Zobrist said. “It’s not something I feel like I’m tied down to. I don’t need that in any way. What I need as a player is just to get at-bats.”

Zobrist said he has “at least four gloves” in his locker this spring.

“I had to get a first baseman’s glove last year,” Zobrist said. “They surprised me when I had to play some first base when Carlos [Pena] went down, so I brought that one, too.”

Zobrist is a huge success story for the Rays. He’s gone from a bust in 2007 to the team MVP (as voted by the writers who cover the team) in ’09 after hitting .297 with 27 home runs and 91 RBIs.

That 2007 season saw Zobrist begin the season as the team’s shortstop only to get sent down after a slow start. Zobrist cut a somber figure in Baltimore’s visiting clubhouse after receiving the news that he would be heading to Triple-A Durham.

Baltimore “was the beginning of the bottom,” Zobrist said. “That whole year was kind of the bottom for me and culminated in getting injured at the end of the year — straining an oblique, which is an odd injury for me. That whole year was tumultuous and a test and a trial.

“It’s something that made me stronger, because I did have to fight through it. It made me believe and have faith that all things that happen to me are, just because it may be negative circumstances doesn’t mean it’s going to be negative overall, unless I allow it to be.”

Zobrist has worked hard to salvage his career, turning from a Punch-and-Judy contact hitter to a legitimate power threat, but he’s not about to take all the credit for resurrecting his career.

“I think the truth is that there are a lot of guys who work hard,” Zobrist said. “Not everybody gets the opportunities that I’ve been given. I’ve been fortunate to get more than one or two opportunities to fail at this level — some guys don’t get that.”

Zobrist seemed genuinely embarrassed when asked about having his first offseason as a star. He did smile when asked about how nice this spring is to arrive at camp and know that he doesn’t have to win a job to stay in the Major Leagues.

“That’s nice,” Zobrist said. “It doesn’t really change what I do. [I] just spend a lot of time working hard and try not to count my chickens before they hatch. It’s a new season. Last year, as great as it was personally, it’s over.

“Regardless, that’s not the name of the game anyway. We’ve got to win, we’re coming here to make the playoffs and win a championship, and that’s our goal. So I’m trying not to think too much about what I’m doing personally as much as just being ready to do what I have to do to help the team win.”

Skeptics wonder if Zobrist has experienced his best season, while others, such as Rays manager Joe Maddon and teammate Evan Longoria, are believers.

“I just think he is so well prepared; it starts with preparation,” Maddon said. “And he’s got a strong belief in himself. I honestly believe he won’t become overly confident or cocky about this thing. I think he’s going to pretty much approach it like he has in the past.

“Last year, obviously, was wonderful. But it began the year before. So I really believe there will be a strong carryover into this season.”

Longoria told reporters that Zobrist became the “heartbeat” of last year’s team.

“We kind of looked to Zo to do something spectacular every night, and he continued to do it,” Longoria said. “He never disappointed. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he does this year. If nothing else, bring that charisma and spirit he has to the field every day.

“He’s always upbeat. He’s got a great attitude. He loves being at the baseball field. He’s a guy that you can go to and talk to about anything. He’s just a fun guy to be around.”

Zobrist doesn’t seem too caught up in what skeptics think about him, even if they believe he’s a one-year wonder.

“They’re welcome to say that,” Zobrist said. “This year, I have to prove that I can do it again. For those people that doubt or say it’s a career year and he’ll never do it again, they have every right to have that opinion. But from where I’m coming from, I believe and know that I can do that on a regular basis. I’m just praying that I stay healthy. I think if I stay healthy, I can do that.”