Facts you might not know about D-backs players
PHOENIX -- In many respects, the Arizona Diamondbacks media guide is just like any other in Major League Baseball. It’s loaded with statistics, club records and notable franchise accomplishments.
But where other guides use the bio pages to go through each of their player’s seasons in minute detail, the D-backs communications department takes a different route. They talk to each of their players to get interesting facts about their lives and personalities that might otherwise go unreported.
Here are some notable excerpts from this year’s guide:
• Is an avid fantasy football player and was the champion in the D-backs clubhouse league in 2018. Has been described by his opponents as a "relentless, masterful trader" and has been known to trade draft slot positions as well as multiple weekly player trade requests.
• Gave his 2009 Cy Young Award to his parents, but kept the samurai sword that Mizuno presented him in recognition of that season.
• Lived with Hall of Famer George Brett while playing for the Royals in 2004.
• Says his favorite TV show, “Friends,” helped him learn English. Watches it every night after coming home from the ballpark.
• Has a cat named Maximus, named after a character from his favorite movie, “Gladiator.”
• Is an avid fan of donuts and says he can't be friends with someone who doesn't like them.
• Is afraid of cats, but has gone on record to say that he's cool with Baxter, the D-backs' mascot.
• Is known for his impersonation of Will Ferrell doing a Harry Caray voice.
• Is an avid bass fisherman. Has sunk two boats in outdoor excursions, one being his father's on a hunting trip and the other while fishing.
• First concert he attended was the rock band Nickelback.
• Met his wife, Autumn, through her father, who was part of the same hunting club in South Carolina as Zack and his father while he was in high school.
• Was at Busch Stadium when Mark McGwire hit his 60th home run in 1998.
Jazz Chisholm
• His grandmother, Patricia Coakley ("Grammy Pat"), played shortstop for the Bahamian national softball team in the 1980's and didn't retire until after her 60th birthday. She started a baseball academy for boys in the Bahamas in 1985 and began doing soft-toss with Jazz starting when he was 2 years old.