5 questions with Ben Zobrist

Ben Zobrist enjoyed a breakout season in 2009 when he batted .297 with 27 home runs, 91 RBIs, a .453 slugging percentage and a .405 on-base percentage. Zobrist started at seven different positions and was named to the AL All-Star Team.

How did being an All-Star affect your offseason?

I sent a lot of bats and balls for auction items. That was the difference this offseason. There were a lot of requests for that, and I was thankful I could help. I got to come up with a better system to send that stuff out, because I spent a lot of money on postage.

How did it change your preparation for this year?

There was no change in my perspective in what I do every day and how I look at life. I've always set the bar high for myself. Before last year I really didn't know that was possible, stat-wise. I don't ever set statistical goals for myself. I just want to be better than I was the year before. At some point it's going to level out because you can't get better every year, but that's what we strive for as athletes.

What was the highlight of 2009?

For me, just the surprise of the (All-Star Game) coming so quickly. I didn't expect at all to be even considered for something like that, and then to be picked in the middle of the year after not even starting at the beginning of the year was just way beyond what I ever expected.

What was the toughest part of 2009?

The second half of the year was kind of arduous just trying to figure out how to play every day. This is what they were talking about when they say the dog days of summer. It's tough to play 150-something games and feel good at the end of the year. It's a learning process the second half. The first half was more of a, "Wow, I can't believe this is happening."

How does it feel that you will be forever known as an All-Star?

That is definitely something I'm honored by and humbled by in this profession. There are so few guys who get to be a part of that game, and I realized the exclusivity of that honor and I definitely want to be respectful of that position.