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Y! MyWebCabrera leaves Dragons with wisdom, energy
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
DAYTON — Jolbert Cabrera has played baseball as a professional since 1990 and was born in 1972. He has worked for the Expos, Indians, Dodgers, Mariners, Cardinals, Rockies and Reds and has been to Japan and back.
Those are not credentials you find in the Class A Midwest League, but when Cabrera walked through the clubhouse door at Fifth Third Field last week, that's what the Dragons were getting on a rehab assignment.
Cabrera — no relation to Angel Cabrera, who also plays for the Dragons — played in six games, all of which the Dragons won, and he said he thoroughly enjoyed his assignment, which ended Monday, July 14.
"I'm having a good time. I get to talk to the kids," he said. "I got a chance to play with older guys (in the big leagues). I see what it takes, the way you're supposed to be in the dugout. When I got to the big leagues, I saw that.
"You can have a good time if you work hard. That's what I tell them."
The Dragons enjoyed him even more.
"Jolbert did a great job coming in here," Dragons manager Donnie Scott said. "He didn't come in here selfishly. He kick-started us just with his enthusiasm."
When the Reds send a rehab player to the Dragons, it's usually for one game and, prior to Cabrera, always a pitcher. Sometimes the guy would pitch an inning or two and leave. Sometimes, like with Kent Mercker earlier this season, he'll stick around long after the game and schmooze with the youngsters.
Cabrera, coming back from a dislocated finger, didn't sit around a long time after games, but he certainly imparted as much wisdom as he could for several hours before each game.
Kevyn Feiner was signed by the Reds as an 18th-round draft choice in 2005 and played rookie ball until this season, when he made the Dragons' roster. Cabrera was assigned the locker next to Feiner's.
"The big thing he does is keep us loose," said Feiner, a second baseman. "He has seen so many games, he has fun with it. He sits around the clubhouse making jokes. He's funny.
"At the same time, he acts professional. We talked about hitting in the cage. He does things right all the time. I may do something right two out of five times."
During stretching exercises before a game, Cabrera gathered the position players around him in short left field for exercises that are a cross between gymnastics and "Dancing with the Stars." The players are getting in their work, and enjoying themselves at the same time.
"He fits in with us," Feiner said. "He doesn't act better than us. This is my first real summer with a professional team. I've had some good spots and some bad spots. This is where you find out what kind of player you are, and I see where I need to improve. I can look at Jolbert and see how it's done."
Prior to Cabrera's arrival, the Dragons were a mess, having won just three of nine games. He came to play first, second and left field, and hit .364 with at least one hit in every game. He played to regain his shape for a return to the major leagues, reshaping the Dragons at the same time.
"There's a new zest just watching (now)," Scott said. "You can feel it. All you want is for it to continue. I'm not asking for more. I want it to continue."
Contact this reporter at (937)
225-2157 or mkatz@
coxohio.com
