Ben and Julianna Zobrist were just starting their marriage, their family and their dual careers when he first joined the Rays in 2006.
Now, after considerable fame and fortune together — Ben on the baseball field, Julianna as a Christian singer, inspirational speaker and author of several books — and three kids, they have each filed for divorce in separate states.
Ben filed for legal separation Monday in Williamson County, Tenn., where the couple keeps an offseason home in a Nashville suburb, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday, while Julianna filed in Cook County, Ill., also on Monday.
Ben Zobrist, 37, has been on leave from the Cubs for a week for what the team said was a “family matter.’’
Ben Zobrist’s filing contends that his wife “has been guilty of inappropriate marital conduct which render further cohabitation impossible,” tennessean.com reported, though the article did not elaborate.
“Husband is unsure if the marriage can be salvaged,” the filing says, according to the Tennessean.
In her filing, Julianna Zobrist, 34, did not provide a reason for seeking the divorce. Per the Tribune, she hired Berger Schatz attorney Karen Krehbiel, who represented Chicago billionaire hedge fund CEO Kenneth Griffin in his 2014 divorce.
The Zobrists, both children of preachers, were married Dec. 17, 2005, in Iowa City, Iowa, her hometown. They have three children, Zion, Kruse and Blaise.
They made a point during their time with the Rays never to go more than six days without seeing each other, as Julianna would travel on her own with the kids to road trips. She also made a number of appearances on the field singing the national anthem before games.
Ben Zobrist was traded to the Rays as a minor-leaguer in a July 2006 trade for Aubrey Huff and, under manager Joe Maddon, developed into an All-Star and the mold for the multipositional super utility player that has become an integral part of MLB rosters. During the time with the Rays, the Zobrists became somewhat fan favorites.
Zobrist played nine years for the Rays, then was traded in January 2015 to Oakland. He has since played for the Royals and Cubs, winning a World Series with each and reuniting with Maddon in Chicago.
Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.