Usually as affable as they arrive, Oswaldo Cabrera took on an evasive tone when initially requested in regards to the small golden lion statutes, full with a crown, that started popping up within the Yankees’ clubhouse just a few weeks in the past.
The place did the monuments of a maned mammal come from? What do they symbolize? And why do they solely seem within the lockers of Yankees’ hitters?
See, the utilityman has been on the injured checklist since shattering his ankle in Seattle on Might 12. Unable to help on the sector down the stretch and in the course of the Yankees’ impending playoff run, he didn’t want to say something that put himself on the focal point or revealed any workforce secrets and techniques.
However why would speaking about some feline collectible figurines try this?
It seems that hitting coach James Rowson has been preaching a lion-like mentality to Bombers batters since spring coaching. Whereas Rowson didn’t want to clarify the origin of that messaging, he did say that “it matters to us” and that it “galvanized” the Yankees.
The numbers assist that, as Rowson’s offense completed first in runs scored, dwelling runs, RBI, slugging proportion, OPS, wRC+ and fWAR.
“At the end of the day, we’re all in this thing together. It’s a competitive game, and to have any type of mental edge is a blessing.”
“It’s to always know that we’re at the top. Nobody can get us,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. added. “[The lion] definitely has the mentality that he’s always the leader and the top dog to beat.”
Coincidentally, Cabrera subscribed to these ideas lengthy earlier than the Yankees collectively purchased in. The 26-year-old shared that together with his teammates throughout a hitters’ assembly just a few weeks again.
Then he went on Amazon and bought about 20 lions for roughly $30 a pop.
“There’s a lot of thought behind it, a lot of care,” Aaron Choose stated of the statues, which counterpoint lion-themed shirts with the phrase “Fierce” on them, which the Yankees have worn all 12 months.
“Hitting coach James Rowson (l.) and bench coach Brad Ausmus wearing the Yankees’ “Fierce” lion shirts because the workforce ready for its Wild Card matchup in opposition to Boston Crimson Sox on Monday.” (Gary Phillips/NYDN)
Cabrera, who let his guard down after his friends revealed his gift-giving methods, defined, “That’s how I think, how I play, how I live my life,” when requested in regards to the lions a second time.
“So I just wanted to share that with them and see if I can get somebody the same inspiration that I have from lions,” the Venezuelan native continued. “That was a dialog that we had, and I simply purchased the statues to remind them that they’re a lion inside.
“They are not the biggest or the fastest, but at the same time, they are the king. Why are they the king? Because everybody feels the presence of them. They got the mentality. They are hungry. They are mean.”
Cabrera, who has worn a lion pendant round his neck since he was 19, has actually made his presence felt since an ambulance carried him out T-Cellular Park in Might.
Whereas his grotesque damage — which occurred after he slipped whereas scoring on an Choose sac fly — initially restricted him to the occasional scooter-assisted go to to the Yankees’ clubhouse, he has been across the workforce increasingly as his rehab has progressed. His attendance in conferences and the Yankees’ dugout — Cabrera cheers on teammates from “The Hot Corner” — has been drastically appreciated, as few can rival his positivity.
“He’s always a light,” Aaron Boone stated. “Irrespective of the circumstances, he all the time walks in with a lightweight and a pleasure to him. That’s who he’s on a regular basis. He makes you be ok with your self. He’s simply received that means about him.
“He’s good at life. Always.”
One of many small golden lion statutes Cabrera gifted the Yankees. (Gary Phillips/NYDN)
Choose echoed these sentiments, calling Cabrera “one of my favorite teammates.” The Yankees’ captain additionally stated that Cabrera has been displaying up early to care for his rehab guidelines in order that he might be extra concerned throughout his teammates’ common routines.
“He embodies what it means to be a Yankee, and he wants to help us win any way he can,” Choose stated. “It simply speaks volumes to the kind of teammate he’s, the kind of individual he’s, as a result of he cares extra about what’s happening round him than his personal stuff.
“A lot of guys can feel bad for themselves and be down in the dumps when they’re hurt and [feel they’re] missing out, especially with what we’ve been doing this year. But he’s a guy that always has a smile on his face and is always ready to help somebody else.”
Choose went on to recall how Cabrera suffered his damage scoring on a ball that he hit. Cabrera, in agony after the play, made certain to ask Choose if he efficiently touched dwelling plate earlier than being wheeled away. The affirmative reply left Cabrera smiling as his season got here crashing to an finish.
At all times the optimist, Cabrera held out hope for some time that he would return this season, however he solely lately started doing gentle infield work. He plans on visiting the Yankees’ advanced in Tampa after the postseason. If all goes properly, he will probably be cleared to play winter ball like he normally does, present up at full power subsequent spring, and compete for a job on a Yankees bench that has added some new faces since his damage.
For now, Cabrera can take solace in the truth that his reward is resonating.
He stated it’s “really emotional” for him to see the Yankees displaying the lions of their lockers. The sight is a reminder of his connection to his teammates, and that he’s having an impression on them as he watches from the sidelines.
“Yeah,” Cabrera replied when requested if the statues make him really feel like a contributor. “I’m right here each single day to be a part of this workforce. I’m right here to attempt to assist them in any means that’s supporting them.
“I didn’t do the lions because I want them to feel like I’m here. It’s just because this is what I love. This is what I want to do with my guys. Everybody here, we are a family.”
