CHICAGO -- If Cubs fans are having a tough time adjusting to life without baseball after the team's abrupt ending in the National League Wild Card Game, they should know the players also are struggling to cope. Benjamin Zobrist expressed his frustrations in a clever music video that included a note to fans.
"It always takes me a few weeks to process the season and begin the offseason," Zobrist said in an Instagram post. "Here are my thoughts ... along with a unique way of making light of the postseason that should have been ..."
With the help of pitcher, filmmaker and good friend Tim Dillard, Zobrist's post is accompanied by a video in which the veteran infielder lipsyncs to Mumford and Sons, "I Will Wait for You."
Instagram from @benzobrist18: It always takes me a few weeks to process the season and begin the offseason. Here are my thoughts.....along with a unique way of making light of the postseason that should have been......... (special thanks to @dimtillard for help with Video) Maybe you feel the way I do. It was a very quick and abrupt ending to a good season for us. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But let's not forget all the good that happened. This game and this team gives us something to pass the time, to express our love and passion, to feel the joy of the wins and the pains of the losses, and it calls us to unity when we so easily can be divided about so many other things. Each game is a microcosm of life. The game itself is notLife, but it helps us deal with life in a way. I'm thankful for even the painful losses at the end. The game can be a great teacher. I felt privileged to play with this team and play for our fans all year. We were stretched and we grew in new ways as individuals and as a group and that is always a good thing. We strive to win championships, but more often the process is the goal. We will be stronger because of all that we went through this year. What will I do now? I will travel and watch my wife crush her book tour. I will be in and out of Chi-town. I just got back home to Franklin, TN. I will find joy in raising and watching my kids grow and continue becoming their own person. I will rest and begin preparing for next season. I will work hard in mind, body, and spirit. I will help other players with @patriotforward and @showandgo. I will focus on personal growth and charitable endeavors and become a better man, teammate, friend, and player. To Baseball and Fans: For the next 5 months until I play next year....I will wait for you....
Zobrist, 37, is shown watching the Brewers and Dodgers play Game 5 of the NL Championship Series on Wednesday and taking swings in his living room against Los Angeles starter Clayton Kershaw.
He's also shown sadly holding his glove. It's obvious. Zobrist just wants to be playing.
He wrote a long note to his followers as well.
"Maybe you feel the way I do," Zobrist said in his post. "It was a very quick and abrupt ending to a good season for us. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But let's not forget all the good that happened. This game and this team gives us something to pass the time, to express our love and passion, to feel the joy of the wins and the pains of the losses, and it calls us to unity when we so easily can be divided about so many other things. Each game is a microcosm of life.
"The game itself is not Life, but it helps us deal with life in a way. I'm thankful for even the painful losses at the end. The game can be a great teacher. I felt privileged to play with this team and play for our fans all year. We were stretched and we great in new ways as individuals and as a group and that is always a good thing. We strive to win championships, but more often, the process is the goal. We will be stronger because of all that we went through this year.
"What will I do now? I will travel and watch my wife crush her book tour. I will be in and out of Chi-town. I just got back home to Franklin, TN. I will find joy in raising and watching my kids grow and continue becoming their own person. I will rest and begin preparing for next season. I will work hard in mind, body, and spirit. I will help other players with @patriotforward and @showandgo. I will focus on personal growth and charitable endeavors, and become a better man, teammate, friend and player.
"To Baseball and Fans: For the next 5 months until I play next year ...
"I will wait for you."
The "Show and Go" reference is a podcast that Zobrist, Dillard, a baseball coach and a personal trainer have combined on which is aimed at young ballplayers interested in learning the game behind the game. Zobrist's wife, Julianna, has a new book called "Pull It Off: Removing Your Fears and Putting on Confidence."
As for Zobrist himself, he's coming off an impressive comeback season in which he batted .305. He'll just have to wait until next year to play.