Zo’s car a wheel mystery
CLEVELAND — Once in a while in November or December, somewhere on a road near Nashville, Tennessee, you can get a glimpse of the gleaming charcoal- gray 2016 Camaro convertible with the happy, bearded man behind the wheel. And then it’s gone again. Somewhere at home, Ben Zobrist has the only World Series MVP trophy ever given to a Cub.
But the just- as- rare Chevy that goes to the annual winner?
“I’mnot going to say,” Zobrist said on the eve of the team’s return to the site of its historic Game 7World Series victory less than two years ago.
The presentation of the car, with his wife by his side, is one of Zobrist’s more vivid memories from the night when the Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years.
But the whereabouts of that cherished car will remain a mystery if he has anything to say about it. Or not say.
“I don’t want anybody trying to break in anywhere,” said Zobrist, whose Cubs open a two- game series Tuesday against the Indians. “Like if I say, it’s at the Self Storage on Highway 96— and, no, it’s not.”
Already smirking, he broke into a full smile at that one.
When the Cubs won in 1908, there were no championship trophies or rings for the victors, much less MVPs and the awards that go with them. The first World Series MVP honor was awarded in 1955.
So it’s not hard to see why Zobrist might be a bit protective of his special ride.
“I’m not giving away any hints,” said Zobrist, who was advised by a collector to store what’s essentially a historic artifact and “keep it nice.”
He drives it once in a while just to keep it in good running condition, and only for special occasions.
“A couple of times this offseason, my wife and I went on a couple of dates in it,” he said, before realizing it’s public knowledge that he lives in Franklin, Tennessee.
“OK, it’s in Tennessee somewhere. There’s the hint.”