Chicago Cubs: What if players were characters from Star Wars?

Ben Zobrist – Qui-Gon Jinn

Before you bother commenting about it, let’s just address the elephant in the room: I don’t have images for every Star Wars character. That’s not the point here. Stay with me.

Qui-Gon had an unfortunately short run in the Star Wars franchise, but what a run it was. Ben Zobrist spent years with the Tampa Bay Rays before catching cups of coffee with Oakland and Kansas City. He won a title with the Royals before bringing one to the North Side, as well.

He has much to pass on to the next generation of baseball players. He truly epitomizes a professional hitter, working counts and seeing pitches unlike any other player on this roster. Similarly, Qui-Gon offers a lot to young Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Padawan apprentice.

Of course, Qui-Gon plays a bit of an infamous role, as well. He discovers Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine and, despite the Jedi Council’s wishes, works to train him as a Jedi. That Jedi, as we all know now, goes on to become Darth Vader and destroys the Jedi Order as it was known.

I don’t think Zobrist is poised to tear down the Cubs. But I do think his wisdom and even-keeled approach to the game makes him one of the most valuable leaders in the clubhouse.