Ben Zobrist strode to the plate for the first time in nearly four months to a thunderous ovation that nearly drowned out the all-too-familiar strains of “Bennie and the Jets” that have long accompanied his plate appearances. He ended up striking out on a Félix Hernández curveball on 3-2, but the result was irrelevant for a number of reasons.
Chief among those was that it meant having a truly complete roster for the first time in months, even if said group is noticeably flawed. Though he should not be viewed as a savior under any circumstances, Zobrist’s return gives the Cubs something they haven’t had this season: Someone who’s willing to walk up to Old Man Fowler’s house and knock on the door.