Former Tampa Bay Rays utility player Ben Zobrist paid an emotional farewell to Rays fans with this full-page ad in Sunday’s Tampa Bay Times. Zobrist was traded to the Oakland Athletics (along with teammate Yunel Escobar, already traded to the Washington Nationals) earlier this offseason.
https://twitter.com/aastleford/status/556830904874983424
Because the picture is a bit small, here’s the text, via MLB.com.
The Ray Way is a special way and will always be our MLB hometown.
In part, I’m glad this is difficult because it means it has impacted our hearts. I would be lying if I said there were no tears shed in the Zobrist household over leaving Tampa Bay. But rest assured they are due to gratitude rather than sadness. So during this bittersweet time, we will try to look forward to the coming season as much as possible even though part of our hearts will always be in Tampa Bay.
I will go on to give everything I can to help the Oakland A’s win a championship now. You all know this in Tampa Bay … I play to win everyday. It’s how God wired me and how my parents taught me. After all, it’s the only way I know how to play this game.
God bless,
Zorilla
Well-said, and quite emotional. Zobrist will be missed by Rays fans.
[MLB.com]
