Who is the baseball player nicknamed "Zorilla"?

The baseball player nicknamed “Zorilla” is Ben Zobrist. The nickname was given to him by Joe Maddon, his manager with the Tampa Bay Rays, and it became closely associated with Zobrist’s adaptable, all-around style of play.

Zobrist was a super-utility player who appeared at second base, shortstop, and several outfield positions during his 14-year Major League career. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago Cubs, earning three All-Star selections.

The nickname gained renewed attention during MLB’s inaugural Players Weekend in 2017, when players were allowed to display chosen nicknames on their jerseys. Zobrist selected “Zorilla,” a playful alteration of his surname. It is sometimes confused with “Zo,” “Zoby,” or “Zobi-wan Kenobi,” other nicknames used for him, but “Zorilla” is the specific nickname tied to this question.

Zobrist also became known for postseason success: he won the 2015 World Series with Kansas City and the 2016 World Series with Chicago. In the 2016 World Series, he won the Most Valuable Player award after delivering the go-ahead double in the decisive Game 7.