Ben Zobrist, wife announce birth of daughter Blaise Royal

Five days after winning the World Series, Kansas City infielder Ben Zobrist's whirlwind week wrapped up with a Royal addition to his family.

Zobrist and his wife, Julianna, announced the birth of their third child Friday, a girl whom they have named, appropriately, Blaise Royal Zobrist.

"What do you name a little girl that so politely waited for the World Series to be won by her daddy?" Julianna Zobrist posted on her Facebook account. "Then so sweetly thanked 800,000 fans at a parade, and the next day hung on while her family packed up and moved back home to Nashville? And then, in a brilliant finish, came to meet the world and say hello the day her mommy's new single 'Alive' is released? You call her a miracle. Or, we call her BLAISE ROYAL ZOBRIST."

The timing of the birth was of interest to the Zobrists, as well as Royals fans. With Julianna in her final month of pregnancy during the World Series, there was thought that Zobrist could miss a game to be with his wife if she gave birth.

The Royals had even added infielder Raul Mondesi Jr. to their World Series roster, reportedly as insurance in case Zobrist were unavailable.

Zobrist hit .261 (6-for-23) with five runs scored in the World Series, which the Royals won in five games over the New York Mets. He joined Kansas City in a trade with the Oakland Athletics in July.

Zobrist ranks 22nd on ESPN baseball analyst Keith Law's top 50 free agents this offseason.