Yankees rookie Oswaldo Cabrera is living the dream

Oswaldo Cabrera questioned his decision to play baseball as a minor leaguer. The ups and downs of the season weighed on him, and he missed his family back home in Venezuela. 

Now, he’s batting fifth for the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. 

“This is not a surprise,” he said with a big smile on his face. “I’ve been working for this all my life. We’re here. We are glad to be here and just try to enjoy each moment and try to compete every time I come out.”

The 23-year-old from Guarenas, Venezuela, ascended through the Yankees’ system in a rather unlikely way. For a few seasons, fans have been itching to see prospects Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, and a Dominican kid nicknamed El Marciano, “The Martian.”

This skinny Venezolano was nowhere on the fans’ radar. That is, until he was called up in August.

With the Yankees scuffling and in need of a spark, they turned to two prospects: Estevan Florial and Cabrera. In the 25 games leading up to the call to The Show, Oswaldo Cabrera batted .330 with seven home runs and eight stolen bases.

In the big leagues, the rookie never looked back.

Cabrera started in 41 of the team’s final 44 regular season games, providing timely hits and superb fielding.

All in the Family

When asked about his parents Leovardo and Yiti, Oswaldo Cabrera nervously looked into the empty stands. Typically, Leovardo and Yiti Cabrera watch every game from home.

On Tuesday night, however, they were in the Bronx cheering their son on in person. This brings him much joy, though he doesn’t want to lose focus on the task at hand.

“They’re very emotional,” he said. “Every time I see them they tell me how happy they are and I always tell them, ‘I don’t want all the congratulations yet. Give me all the praise after all of this.’”

It’s hard to imagine what Cabrera’s younger self would say about his journey to this point. It’s a message that should resonate with anybody in search of a dream.

Cabrera perked up when considering this question as if he’d love nothing more than to give his younger self some life-changing advice.

“Today, I would tell that kid Oswaldo Cabrera to keep doing what you’re doing,” he said. “Keep fighting and never quit dreaming.”