Zielinski's impact went beyond evaluating talent

Stan Zielinski holds his award at the 2016 Cubs' Scout of the Year dinner. (Courtesy of Lukas McKnight)CHICAGO -- There are so many stories, so many players whose lives he touched, so many miles he traveled, that trying to sum up Stan Zielinski in a few paragraphs is futile. He wouldn't want the attention.

Zielinski, who died Jan. 5 at the age of 64, had to be tricked to attend a dinner in January 2016, when he was named the Cubs' Scout of the Year. He was always worried about being fired. Zielinski had no reason to be concerned.

In his 38 years as a scout, he signed Kyle Schwarber, Cliff Floyd, Kirk Rueter, Jeff Samardzija and countless others who may never make an All-Star team but are…