Ben Zobrist and The Gospel of Moneyball

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TL;DR
After his high school graduation, Ben Zobrist was minutes away from hanging up his cleats and attending bible college in the hopes of becoming a pastor. He would go on to have one of the most accomplished baseball careers of the 2010s.
Link to Jaime Cevallos' channel: @theswingmechanic
If you are reading this, comment one of your favorite songs of all time.
Sources:
www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/1...
www.baseballprospectus.com/ne...
blogs.fangraphs.com/the-recen...
www.chicagotribune.com/2019/0...
www.draysbay.com/rays-history...
www.spreaker.com/episode/tb-s...
www.challies.com/interviews/a...
www.draysbay.com/2009/4/23/84...
www.theringer.com/2016/6/27/1...
www.goshennews.com/sports/col...
www.sbnation.com/2012/9/12/33...
tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/art...
www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?i...
www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/sp...
• The Rapid Rise of the ...
www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/...
www.forbes.com/sites/robertku...
www.mlb.com/news/ben-zobrist-...
www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...
digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cgi...
All stats taken from baseballreference.com, Fangraphs, and Baseball Savant
Music
Vibhaas - Hiran
vibhaas.bandcamp.com/album/ma...
Heart of Glass
Dolphinboy - Socks, Sandals, and Midnight Vandals
dolphinboy.bandcamp.com/album...
vintage stereos - Son of a Preacher Man (Boombap Remix)
• Son Of A Preacher Man ...
Charlie Dreaming X Yutaka Hirasaka - Spiritual Overtones
driftlabel.bandcamp.com/album...
Jeff Kaale - Footsteps
1080 Snowboarding OST - White Out
NeuroPort - Downrise
neuroport.bandcamp.com/track/...
ChrisLody - Cassette Master
chrislody.bandcamp.com/album/...
Urban Flavour - Modern Jazz Drum n Bass
Nick Tesla - Pocket Pass
nickelustesla.bandcamp.com/al...
Cumulostratus - Shiner
cumulostratus.bandcamp.com/al...
Travelyan - Jade
travelyan.bandcamp.com/album/...
Rage Racer OST - Silver Stream
Travelyan - The Greyhound Home
Axium Waves - Alone
axiumwaves.bandcamp.com/album...
Axium Waves - Time
Relient K - Forget and Not Slow Down
Rabbithole Club - Cs3D V3LA
rabbitholeclub.bandcamp.com/a...
Axium Waves - Earth
Sydney 2000 OST - Track 08
Remo Anzovino - En Plain Air
• En plein air
Travelyan - Midwest Skylines
Rabbithole Club - Telenights
orange gold red - Undone
orangegoldred.bandcamp.com/tr...
Nick Tesla - Bobby Axelrod
oliviaway - universe disconnect
oliviaway.bandcamp.com/track/...
Eddie Veddar - All The Way
Axium Waves - Gatsu
Timestamps:
Intro 0:00
Proverbs 22:6 (Zobrist's Childhood) 0:37
James 112 (perseverance) 2:37
Deuteronomy 818 (Ad Break) 4:31
Colossians 3:23 (Start of Professional Career) 7:48
Matthew 1031 (Moneyball Intro) 8:42
Romans 12:1-2 (Transformation) 12:13
Michah 2:13 (Breakout) 19:58
Ezekial 2712-25 (Trade to A's and Royals) 28:00
Chronicles 30:9b (Zobrist and the Cubs) 32:14

[@nomorefielders]

Visit joinrival.com/nomorefielders or use the code "nomorefielders" while signing up to Rival Fantasy to get $25 in vouchers and recieve up to $200 in deposit matching. I hope to see you there.

[@AZ_sports_are_better]

Thank you for using Reliant K! 🤘🤘 The best Christian band of all time!

[@EvilOrso]

Funny that Zobrist actually began to preach actual gospel when he retired. Look up Ben Zobrist pastor for more information.

[@gavinsansbury2235]

Oh noooooooo

[@jacksonhrisko2145]

There was an opening for one around him…iykyk😭😭😭

[@nomorefielders]

DONT DO IT

[@Grizzbit]

@@nomorefieldersI should have listened

[@mariokart9227]

WHY DID YOU HEART IT @@nomorefielders

[@joshuaw711]

The Rays and Cubs need to retire his number 18. He’s such a legend he literally biked to Wrigley Field from his apartment.

[@ba780YT]

Royals too

[@RobertLPeeters]

Yeah, I absolutely have time for a 40 minute NMF video about my guy Ben Zobrist.

[@michael-fw3vz]

I will die on this hill: Zobrist should get some extremely serious consideration for the hall of fame when his name shows up on the ballot next year. He revolutionalized the modern utility player and provided so much more value on the field than anybody cared to realize. He is a genuinely rare case of a player being ahead of his time.

[@jesse8028]

No

[@jamescoay]

I agree

[@thatoneoshawott5826]

My class president gave a speech about Zobrist at our graduation, essentially using him as role model to keep moving forward in life. Probably one of the best players to pick for a speech like that.

[@zenn411]

I am a simple man. I see Ben Zobrist in the title, I click. 10/10 video

[@cosmo8366]

Ben was my favorite player when he was on the cubs. I miss him 😢

[@guhr1dy]

13:11 Great Value Jon Bois moment

[@nomorefielders]

LMAO

[@lunarumbreon7699]

Anything that’s even remotely similar to Bois is definitely a compliment

[@pasketti2404]

when the one dot on the graph is far away from the others 😱

[@lunarumbreon7699]

@@pasketti2404 when the screen starts to zoom in on the one dot with epic music playing 😱

[@nomorefielders]

@@lunarumbreon7699 The funniest thing about this comment is that before the video was released, I was literally telling my girlfriend about how that exact moment is a direct Jon Bois ripoff (I was on my 8th rant of the week about how great his videos are)

[@FreeSammySosa]

Had no clue I needed a 40 minute Ben Zobrist video - that was electric

[@Just_A_Name14]

Must not of been this one bc it was only 39 mins

[@dorn4931]

Nah man, why'd you have to go and get me tearing up by playing "All the Way"

[@nomorefielders]

Because I wanted you to feel something on this fine Thursday

[@gagtager]

Same here tf bro

[@sebastianzell525]

when

[@drizzle452]

I always hated that song until the Cubs won. It just felt like the loser’s anthem. Now…it’s just way too much to not get a little teary.

[@jamescoay]

His ex wife needs to be sent to the moon after that crap she did to him.

[@bmac4]

God the 2016 world series was so good Zobrist became a Chicago sports hero unlike almost any other

[@AVSCOUNTRY2024]

Not if ur a Cleveland fan like me 😭😭 most heartbreaking World Series

[@OGStuDogg]

Mike Ditka Dick Butkis Walter Payton Frank Thomas Ryne Sandberg Andre Dawson William Perry Ozzie Guillen but Ben is king

[@derekdiehl883]

Been a cubs fan and a Christian since birth, Ben zobrist has always been one of my favorite players. Great guy, great ball player.

[@shitpost1115]

Ben Zobrist and Matt Murton. Christian Cub Legends

[@joshsoderstrom4828]

Can You Get to That - Funkadelic. That Cubs team was so much fun to watch.

[@GingerAle4Life]

I loved having this dude on the 2015 royals team. Dude is a class act and one of the best utility men ever!

[@loganhill6601]

Not to mention a doubles machine that post season that helped get our 1st world series in 30 years

[@jstaley1158]

Me: Oh sweet, a Zobrist biopic, should be a fun watch. Me, fully sobbing w/Eddie Vedder and 2016 highlights: *core memory reactivated*

[@Holycow8498]

Babe wake up indie band braves fan uploaded a new video

[@nathanmcguire932]

You could make a really compelling dark horse argument that Zobrist should of won MVP in 09

[@bumpyuncle7277]

I live about 20 minutes from Eureka and have attended clinics and events hosted by Ben before. Incredible human as well as ball player, he deserves all the love and more.

[@WellNaturally]

When you put Relient K in this video I actually has to pause the video to make sure itunes didn't randomly open and start playing by itself.

[@nomorefielders]

Classic 2009 moment

[@tucker4pf]

as a lifelong reds fan i can indeed confirm corky is a legend around cincinnati and we love him

[@babyjames6979]

Saw Ben at the grocery store in Franklin one afternoon. My fanboy facial expression must've been too much so he gave me a cold stare. I just nodded and smiled. He had his little kids with him so certainly understood

[@NoatheLAPTOPnerd01]

this channel eternally deserves more support, top 5 baseball KZbin channel easily

[@lancesantana]

2016 was such a magical year. music was elite, the cavs and cubs came back from down 3-1 in one of the most magical runs in sports, life was genuinely so good

[@myfavoriterestaurant]

Since for the last 10 years, I have considered myself a legitimate and constant fan of 3 teams: the Cubs, the rays, and the royals. That being said, to say that Ben Zobrist is an all-time favorite of mine is an understatement. He took the dream of a lifelong cubs fan and made it a reality. Great vid. And if you’re still looking for music recommendations, check out anything by Ben Folds/Ben Folds Five. I’d particularly say to give the song Sports & Wine a listen.

[@ilearnedsomethingnewtoday6193]

I’m from Eureka, our graduating class size are usually about 125.

[@WhatHappenedtoBaseball]

You're never gonna believe what that disagreement with his pastor was about...

[@yankees29]

Yeah I just found out…

[@Kitt_the_Katt]

Well, don't leave us hanging

[@drizzle452]

Ugh-let it go. I couldn’t have felt worse for another human being/professional athlete than Ben.

[@coastergirl98]

@@drizzle452 Nahhh, I could never feel bad for a manipulative christian

[@rod_2109]

I watch a lot of youtube content about most of my passions, soccer, wrestling, music, etc. There is a very particular sensation that can be found when watching a good youtube video. It's unique, somehow it feels rewarding even when I had nothing to do with the production of the video. This was a good fucking youtube video.

[@NOAHNOAH89]

Ending gave me chills. Great video!! Amazing compilation of a wonderful player who is definitely underrated.

[@yoyosummers4270]

This was incredibly well done. One of the best baseball videos on the internet

[@bluemeltedpopsicle]

Glad my feed still gets bois core reccomendations, even during this droubt. My favorite song is Next Levels.

[@googlemonopoly]

Already loved Ben Zobrist, learning about his faith and great hope makes me love him even more.

[@ruffs6756]

Got me in tears at the end. Some day we did go all the way

[@iristheandroid2336]

Another banger video. Zobrist is one of my favorite ballplayers. Song recommendation: Chastity Belt "Chemtrails".

[@DetroitSportsFanSince2002]

I liked Ben Zobrist when he played for the Rays 😂😂 also he is the reason why I like number 18

[@TheTEN24]

This is an awesome video man, gained an even greater respect for this dude learning his incredible journey. It’s always tough being a late bloomer in high school athletics wise

[@nomorefielders]

He went from a player I was largely fascinated by to by far one of my favorites up there with Ronald Acuña Jr and Mike Aviles

[@kingchuckfinley]

This is amazing. I grew up watching Zobrist play on the cats. He was always the best player on the field.

[@jacksonpierzina]

This is such a brilliant video that you’ve put together! I will certainly be subscribing!

[@sleepypete9341]

Lol I’d never heard this story and I live close to Olivet, it was quite the shock to hear you randomly bring up my local college

[@juvefan154]

Thanks for the wonderful video!! I wasn't watching baseball at this point in my life, and I really love stories like these :) Song recommendation: Cherish the Sade by Stro Elliot

[@Drogon7102]

Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have some real gems especially on their first album.

[@nomorefielders]

Huge PPC fan here

[@elifishwhat]

never thought id see ppc love on an mlb video but thats fuckin awesome

[@thomasmcdade4816]

Another amazing video looking forward to the next

[@nomorefielders]

Thank you! Glad to have you on board.

[@HeySalina]

The Relient K needle drop shook me

[@ItsAlexJohnsonMusic]

Relient K is 🔥

[@kami_in_the_skye]

You knocked this outta the park!

[@kingchuckfinley]

22:57 this is still one of the best baseball clips of all time.

[@grahamfaulkner3969]

At minute 1.35 he played for the Wisconsin Woodchucks and brought northwoods league Championship. If you go to the stadium today his name is on the wall of the champions roster.

[@phillipsnow9439]

incredible story, incredible storytelling

[@blainemensa8704]

Kings of Summer - ayokay, Quinn XCII This was Ian Desmond’s walk-up song, good memories with this one

[@jamespurs]

Even though he beat us in 2015, I’ve always had a soft spot for Ben. Fantastic video btw

[@Arearebahare]

that was great man.bravo

[@FreeSammySosa]

Love how you let the highlights go at 19:42 that was great addition

[@nathanroon6961]

Great content! Keep it up!

[@tleevz1]

Im grateful for Ben Zobrist. Interesting guy and 'm a Royals fan so he's in the pantheon. Thank you Mr. Ben Zobrist.

[@jeffanderson130]

Lateralus by TOOL. Great video!

[@intune252]

Only in a NMF video can I learn about Corky Miller and still end up crying at the end Also one of my faves definitely Night Cruising by Fishmans. Legendary band

[@nomorefielders]

The live version of Long Season got me through the pandemic

[@Manchu504]

Damn great video man.Subscribing and looking forward to future content

[@nomorefielders]

Appreciate it

[@onyx1011]

Great video

[@VACATETHE48]

Been a life long Rays fan. In the mid 2010s I'd defend Zobrist to anyone that would be willing to listen. Never truly great, but always consistently good. I wouldn't want to construct an all 2000s roster without him. That 2009 is insane.

[@outrlmts1879]

I was lucky enough to see Zobrist play regularly in 2006 when he was still in AA for the Astros. It was crazy that a month after he was traded he was already contributing in the bigs. You know what’s crazier? Hunter Pence was also on that AA team :)

[@willclark3065]

My dad actually grew up playing little league with zobrist and played him in the ihsa playoffs. He said that he wa some of the best fielders around but never struck him out

[@Puffo__]

amazing video

[@MegaMcSwift]

Awesome video per usual! Paper thin walls by modest mouse for an all timer

[@nomorefielders]

I love Modest Mouse so much. Their early run of albums is stuff of indie legend.

[@ilikesodaa1643]

fun fact: Zobrist has the 2nd highest WAR in rays history with 36, only behind Longo’s 50

[@sammerkel2816]

Ray- Roy- Cu- MLB legend Ben Zobrist

[@lunarumbreon7699]

Hey I remember being exactly like this 0:16. Never really went any further than that

[@phillylifer]

Phillies fan here. We knew Ben was money after that series

[@WhatHappenedtoBaseball]

10/10 title

[@philippjensen9598]

4:44 Ngl I was gonna sit thru the ad read until he said that 😂😂

[@dren_]

great stuff my dude

[@nomorefielders]

Thank you, friend

[@BKF0]

Check out the band Disco Witch, don't think they're together anymore but I saw them at a basement show like 4 years ago and their songs still slap. My favorite is Hermit Crab.

[@diggsfather]

ben zobrist is forever a LEGEND for the cubs

[@baseballbatbros]

I love this channel

[@DA-yl8js]

I always find it funny when people say to never trade with the Rays, because my favorite team is notoriously incompetent when it comes to trades, but we got German Marquez from the Rays for Corey Dickerson

[@kennyhorn7465]

Damn, All the Way really hit with this one Also, my favorite song: The Weak End by Shawn James

[@gkdunch]

great video, I love everything you put out, but dayuum, how much did they pay you for a 3 minute and change long ad? good for you tho.

[@nomorefielders]

Enough to feed my family 👍 But seriously thank you for all your kind words and support.

[@Just_A_Name14]

The Cleveland what 😂 36:59

[@ben22rivera]

Reliant K…Ben Zobrist?! The nostalgia is unreal!

[@sleepdeprived1812]

One of my favorite songs of all time is heartbreaker by pat benatar

[@markchalled3976]

Uplifting.

[@Shingerrr]

i wanna start making videos like this, how does he edit?

[@outrlmts1879]

You need some songs, I gotcha Davy Crockett by Thee Headcoats Lil Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham Hey there little insect by Jonathon Richman There but for the Grace of God By The Gories Moanin’ the Blues by Hank Williams Sr. After Hours by The Velvet Underground Smokey Mountain Taxi By Adam Carroll Bumper & Grill by UGK You’re Welcome! Thanks for the great video

[@lukasgestrine]

Baseball fan: "Hey have you talked about moneyball today?"

[@nomorefielders]

*Me going to door to door “Could I interest you in the word of our lord and savior, Bill James?”

[@coastergirl98]

@@nomorefielders James' Witnesses

[@Dsquareddyson]

We live in a country where people feel the need to give a 60-second apology for someone believing in Christ, because it might hurt feelings. Not leaning one way or the other is impossible.

[@ChadGreenFanclub]

Was not expecting to hear Hits From The Bong

[@kenthunter6850]

A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request - Steve Goodman. But for some good Christian Rock, look up Anavox. Banner Year, one of my favorites.

[@HeftyMoon]

I hope he makes the hall one day. He is the prototype player of the modern era.

[@richardtherichard26]

I have a quick story about Aubrey huff. When I was a young boy, around 7/8/9 I went to a Yankee game w my parents. Now this was a special occasion bc usually Yankee games were with dad and we sat in the bleachers. But tonight mom came with us and we sat field level behind the 3rd base (opposing team) dugout. Maybe 8th row or so? I don’t remember exactly but it was less than the 10th. Anyway, my little self, I’d never gotten a ball. In all my 5/6 years of sitting in the bleachers with dad with my glove never got a ball. Well this day, it just so happened that as I was down by the railing (yea they actually used to let us get up in the middle of the play then) a foul ball was hit to the Yankees 3rd baseman. Alex Rodriquez. I was able to catch his attention and have him toss me the ball. My little self froze in awe as this sure to be hall of fame ball floated in the air momentarily, at which moment, a behemoth of a women no less than 250 lbs shoved me out of the way, caught the ball and sat down in her seat triumphantly as if she’d found the holy grail. Needless to say I cried like, well like a 9 year old who just had his newest dream stolen from him in front of his eyes. I went and pouted next to my mother and father for about an inning. Then something weird happened, one of the coaches from the Tampa devil rays dugout was pointing at me. He motioned for me to come back down to the corner of the dugout. I thought I was in trouble for a second so I hesitated. But my dad or someone finally said “I think he has something for you” so I went over. A bat batting gloves and a signed ball. From Aubrey huff. “Some people suck, hope this makes up for it”. After the game my parents thanked him for me as I choked and played the shy game. I still have all that stuff and it’s coming with me wherever I may go in the future. I’ll never forget that. I’ll always be Aubrey huffs biggest fan.

[@lb3bodybuilding278]

Having a disagreement with his pastor lmaooooo (look it up, folks)

[@bradwurst8141]

So fitting he's from a town called Eureka. The only expression that seems appropriate for such a diamond in the rough

[@Hollowtide]

What movie is at the beginning with the kids in the Braves unis???

[@nomorefielders]

Dazed and Confused One of my favorite movies of all time

[@Hollowtide]

thank you so much@@nomorefielders

[@matiamrobbins3036]

Favorite song: Song about an angel by sunny day real estate

[@jacobmoreno7706]

Great video, listen to You Enjoy Myself by Phish

[@GeeEm1313]

Six million a year for Zobrist to play on your team? Sheesh. Sign me up.

[@tylercooper1551]

I dont think my royals needed to trade for him to win the series in 15 because I believe whit Merrifield would have done just fine, but I have to admit zobrist added a fire to the lineup so many times

[@codygurnick6405]

Benny Z. Also So Addicted by Concrete Castles

[@drakemcknight2857]

Me sitting in eureka Illinois… this will be fun 😂 first words “Eureka, Illinois” Me- “Hey I know that place”

[@sfcSpidey]

19:55 reliant K is such a fitting band for ben 😂😂

[@Struzzzmann]

The Christianity puns are criminal😂

[@ShadowWizard123]

My song recommendation: No Other by Gene Clark

[@danbuckholz9228]

What a W maybe my favorite album ever made