Tim Bogar has had as good a look as anyone at the Tampa Bay Rays. Among his duties as the team's quality assurance coach is to scout the Rays during games and provide feedback to manager Joe Maddon and others on the coaching staff. | MLB page

Bogar hasn't filed many negative reports in regard to Tampa Bay infielder-outfielder Ben Zobrist.

Bogar said the former Eureka High School star has fit nicely in the "super utility" role and played a big part in the Rays' rise from perennial doormat to American League champions.

Zobrist and the Rays meet Philadelphia tonight in Game 1 of the World Series at St. Petersburg, Fla.

"He can play shortstop, which is the big thing, but he also can play the other infield positions and he's a very good outfielder," Bogar said Tuesday. "He can cover a lot of ground and has the arm to play any of the three outfield positions. They have not been afraid to use him in center, and I think he may see some time in right coming up here (in the World Series).

"He's also become a strong left-handed bat. He just allows Joe (Maddon) to do whatever he wants during a game because he can put Ben anywhere."

The switch-hitting Zobrist batted .253 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI in 62 regular-season games. Nine homers and 24 RBIs came from the left side. He also committed only seven errors in 190 chances while playing at shortstop, second base, third base and in the outfield.

Bogar, who lives in Bloomington in the offseason, can appreciate what Zobrist has done more than most. Bogar spent much of his nine-year major-league career as a utility player and knows what it's like to move from one position to another.

"He's a very gifted athlete, but because he's capable of doing so many things, he has to work very hard to be prepared and be able to do all of those things," Bogar said.

"He's one of those players you need on a team to be successful. He's the kind of guy other players really want to see do well."

A case in point came when Zobrist filled in for injured left fielder Carl Crawford for several games in August and September.

Bogar said Zobrist twice cut balls off down the left-field line to hold runners to singles, and that both plays "were very important in helping us win the game."

"He's the only guy on our team who gets to those balls," Bogar said. "The other guys see things like that and appreciate what he does."

Bogar's contribution has included being on the field in uniform prior to games, performing various duties, and then scouting the Rays from the stands. After four successful years as a minor-league manager, he is in his first season as the Rays' seventh big-league coach. Only six can be in uniform during games.

Still, he is excited to be part of a World Series team.

"It's one of those things where you have people tell you there is nothing like getting to the World Series. Until you actually get there, you think, 'It can't be that much different than when I've won in the past,' " Bogar said. "But it really has been pretty euphoric around here.

"It's fun for me, but it's my first year. I didn't go through all of the losing. I'm really excited for guys like (third-base coach) Tom Foley, who was with the organization before they even had a team on the field. I'm really happy for the guys like that. They are on cloud nine."