Melky Cabrera

New York Yankees — No. 28
Center fielder
Born: August 11, 1984 (1984-08-11) (age 23)
Bats: Switch	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
July 7, 2005 for the New York Yankees
Selected MLB statistics (through April 21, 2008)
Batting average	.276
HR	18
RBI	130
Runs scored	150
On-base plus slugging	.732
Teams
New York Yankees (2005-present)

Melky Cabrera (born August 11, 1984 in Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees. The position of the center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field - the baseball fielding position between left field and right field (e. ... is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... Homerun redirects here. ... RBI is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, including Reserve Bank of India Run batted in, in baseball Radio Berlin International This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Bengie Molina of the Anaheim Angels (in gray and red) scores a run by touching home plate after rounding all the bases. ... In baseball statistics, on-base plus slugging (denoted by OPS) incorporates on base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... The following are the baseball events of the year 2005 throughout the world. ... is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Its a city with a big statue of a penis in it. ... Major Leagues redirects here. ... Austin Kearns, an outfielder, catches a fly ball. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as...

The Beginning and the Minors

On November 13, 2001, at age 17, Melky was signed by the New York Yankees. In 2002, at age 18, he made his pro debut in the Yankees Rookie League affiliate at the Dominican Summer League. In 2003, he made his first minor league appearance with the low class A ball in the NY-Penn League with the Staten Island Yankees, batting .283 with 31 RBI in 67 games. In 2004, he moved up to the higher A ball Battle Creek Yankees, hitting .333 with 16 RBI in 42 games before being promoted to the high class A Tampa Yankees, where he hit .288 with 51 RBI in 85 games to finish the season. In 2005, Cabrera started off with the Class AA Trenton Thunder, hitting .275 with 60 RBI in 106 games. At the end of June, he was called up to the AAA Columbus Clippers. On July 7, 2005, he made his major league debut. However, he only played six games before he was moved back down to Columbus. In 2006, he started the season in Columbus, but due to injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, he became the everyday left fielder for the Yankees. is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Staten Island Yankees are a minor league baseball team, located in Staten Island, New York. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, based in Battle Creek, Michigan, are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. ... New York Yankees American League AAA Columbus Clippers AA Trenton Thunder A Charleston RiverDogs Tampa Yankees Staten Island Yankees R Gulf Coast Yankees The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. ... Class-Level Double-A (1995-Present) Minor League affiliations Eastern League (1995-Present) Northern Major League affiliations New York Yankees (2003-present) Boston Red Sox (1995-2003) Detroit Tigers (1993-1995) Name Trenton Thunder (1994-present) London Tigers (1989-1993) Ballpark Mercer County Waterfront Park (1994-Present) Labatt Memorial Park... Class-Level Triple-A (1966-Present) Minor League affiliations International League West Division Major League affiliation Washington Nationals (2007-Present) New York Yankees (1979-2006) Pittsburgh Pirates (1977-1978) Current uniform Name Columbus Clippers (1977-Present) Ballpark Cooper Stadium (1977-Present)(formerly known as Franklin County Stadium from 1977-1984... Hideki Godzilla Matsui , born June 12, 1974) is a Japanese Major League Baseball left fielder who plays for the New York Yankees. ... For other persons named Gary Sheffield, see Gary Sheffield (disambiguation). ...

2005, First stint as a Yankee

On July 7, Melky made his major league debut in center field at Yankee Stadium against the Cleveland Indians.^[1] His first at bat against Kevin Millwood resulted in a strike-out; however, he was not discouraged after having an emotional pre-game conversation with his Dominican high school coach, Marshall Lindner. However, he collected his first major league hit, a single to left field, in his third at bat to a standing ovation.^[2] The next day, he went 2 for 3 against Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee, scoring his first major league run. Melky would go 0 for his next 13 and make a costly miscue in center on July 15 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, misplaying a Trot Nixon fly ball that resulted in an inside-the-park homer during a 17-1 defeat. Melky was sent down to AAA Columbus the next day for 17 games, and then demoted back to AA Trenton Thunder to finish out the season. is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This page is about the stadium the New York Yankees currently play in. ... For other uses, see Cleveland Indians (disambiguation). ... Kevin Austin Millwood (born December 24, 1974 in Gastonia, North Carolina) is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who plays for the Texas Rangers . ... For other uses, see Cleveland Indians (disambiguation). ... Clifton Phifer Cliff Lee (b. ... is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, 42 Name Boston Red Sox (1908–present) Boston Americans (1901-1907) Other nicknames The BoSox, The Olde Towne Team, The Sox Ballpark Fenway Park (1912–present) Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds... Fenway redirects here. ... Christopher Trotman Trot Nixon (born April 11, 1974 in Durham, North Carolina) is an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. ... In baseball parlance, an inside-the-park home run is a play where a hitter scores a home run without hitting the ball out of play. ... Class-Level Double-A (1995-Present) Minor League affiliations Eastern League (1995-Present) Northern Major League affiliations New York Yankees (2003-present) Boston Red Sox (1995-2003) Detroit Tigers (1993-1995) Name Trenton Thunder (1994-present) London Tigers (1989-1993) Ballpark Mercer County Waterfront Park (1994-Present) Labatt Memorial Park...

2006

Melky saw a lot of time in spring training of 2006, with outfield starters Johnny Damon and Bernie Williams playing in the World Baseball Classic. He impressed the Yankees by hitting .349 in 16 games, however, he was ultimately sent to AAA Columbus at the start of the season. A Grapefruit League game at the LA Dodgers camp in Vero Beach, Florida In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of exhibition games which precedes the regular season. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Bernabé Bernie Williams Figueroa (born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball outfielder and a guitar-playing jazz recording artist. ... The World Baseball Classic, sometimes abbreviated WBC, is an international baseball tournament, first held in March 2006. ...

Melky had a strong start, hitting .385 with 4 HR and 24 RBI in just 31 games before being called up on May 9 after left fielder Hideki Matsui's broken wrist landed him on the disabled list until September 12. Melky stepped in at left field and had a strong start, hitting .318 in May with his first 10 career RBIs and first 2 stolen bases. On May 30, batting leadoff for just the second time, Melky recorded his first career 4-hit game, going 4 for 6, missing the cycle by a homer ^[3].In June, he fell into a slump, although he hit his first major league HR on June 15. ^[4]. On June 6, in the 8th inning of a 2-1 game against the Red Sox, Melky made an outstanding catch in left-center, (which became known as "The Melky Catch") leaping over the wall to steal a home run from Boston's Manny Ramírez. After the catch, Johnny Damon cheered and danced in the outfield. ^[5]. This play earned Melky a "This Year In Baseball" Award (voted on by the fans) for the most outstanding play of the 2006 season. In July, Melky heated up again, hitting .313 with 14 RBI. Highlights of the month included his first career 5-RBI game on July 5, with his first career grand slam^[6] On July 18, Melky hit his first career walk-off home run, a line shot in the bottom of the 11th against the Seattle Mariners to give the Yankees a 5-4 win.^[7] Melky finished the 2006 season tied for second in the league with 12 outfield assists. is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Hideki Godzilla Matsui , born June 12, 1974) is a Japanese Major League Baseball left fielder who plays for the New York Yankees. ... In baseball, the disabled list (a. ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 166th day of the year (167th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other persons of the same name, see Manuel Ramirez. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) West Division (1977–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Seattle Mariners (1977–present) Other nicknames The Ms Ballpark Safeco Field (1999–present) King County Domed Stadium (Kingdome) (1977-1999) Major league titles World Series titles (0) none AL Pennants (0) None...

2007

Cabrera struggled starting off the season. He was the fourth outfielder and did not get regular at-bats. When he did play, he could not be counted on to relive his magic from 2006. He batted .200 in April and .254 in May, getting limited playing time. He was batting .223 when Jason Giambi went on the disabled list on June 1st. Giambi's placement on the DL, however, gave Cabrera a playing opportunity. Johnny Damon was moved to Giambi's role of designated hitter and Cabrera took Damon's spot in center field. Since then, Cabrera has hit .320 with 3 of his 5 home runs and 21 of his 36 RBIs. He also had a career high 13-game hitting streak going from July 1-17. While Bobby Abreu was struggling in July, Cabrera batted second so Derek Jeter could move to third in the lineup. He has cemented himself as the Yankees starting center fielder and Giambi has been fighting with Damon for DH at-bats since he returned from the DL. Jason Gilbert Giambi (born January 8, 1971) is a Major League Baseball player who is the 1st baseman and designated hitter for the New York Yankees. ... In baseball, the disabled list (a. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... Bob Kelly Abreu (nicknamed El Comedulce) (born March 11, 1974 in Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball right fielder who plays for the New York Yankees. ... Derek Sanderson Jeter (born June 26, 1974 in Pequannock, New Jersey) is an American Major League Baseball player. ...

Prior to the July 31 trade deadline, Yankees' GM Brian Cashman had a deal on the table to trade Cabrera in order acquire the Texas Rangers' closer Eric Gagné. Cashman refused this proposal, showing how much value Cabrera has to the Yankees, not only this year, but in the years to come.[2] Brian Cashman is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of the New York Yankees. ... Major league affiliations American League (1961–present) West Division (1972–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 26, 34, 42 Name Texas Rangers (1972–present) Washington Senators (1961-1971) Other nicknames None in common use Ballpark Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (1994–present) a. ... Eric Serge Gagné (born January 7, 1976 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, pronounced ), is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. ...

In 2007 Cabrera was 4th in the American League in sacrifice flies (9), 5th in sacrifice hits (10), and 6th in triples (8).

2008

Cabrera was involved in a bench clearing brawl against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 2008 spring training preseason game. MLB claimed to have seen video that showed Cabrera punching Rays third baseman Evan Longoria during the brawl. Cabrera was suspended along with teammate Shelley Duncan, third base coach Bobby Meacham, and hitting coach Kevin Long for his actions in the brawl. Major league affiliations American League (1998–present) East Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 12, 42 Name Tampa Bay Rays (2008–present) Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-2007) Other nicknames Ballpark Tropicana Field (1998–present) Major league titles World Series titles (0) none AL Pennants (0) none Division titles... A Grapefruit League game at the LA Dodgers camp in Vero Beach, Florida In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of exhibition games which precedes the regular season. ... Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in professional baseball in North America. ... The position of the third baseman “Third base” redirects here. ... For the actress with a similar name, see Eva Longoria Parker. ... Brawling (probably connected with Ger. ... David Shelley Duncan (born September 29, 1979, in Tucson, Arizona) is a 6 5 corner outfielder/first baseman/designated hitter on the New York Yankees. ... In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. ... Kevin Spanky Long (b. ...

Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• Chris Berman, known for giving nicknames to players, has given Cabrera the nickname "Melky Way" Cabrera. Yankees broadcaster John Sterling also uses this nickname, though it is unclear whether Sterling or Berman came up with the nickname first. Sterling also uses the phrase, "the Melk Man always knocks twice" when referring to Cabrera, usually after Cabrera hits a home run. Sterling also came up with the phrase "The Melk Man delivers." This was after Melky's walk-off home run against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium in the bottom of the 11th inning.
• Melky's nickname around the Yankee clubhouse is "Leche", which is Spanish for "milk." ^[8]
• Melky is the second youngest Yankee to hit a walk-off home run. He did so on June 15, 2007. The youngest Yankee to do so was Mickey Mantle.
• When Melky records an RBI or makes a flashy defensive play the Yankee Stadium baseline scoreboards will flash "Tiene Leche?" ("Got Milk?")
• Melky's best friend on the team is second baseman Robinson Cano (#24). The two live in the same apartment complex in New Jersey and Cano drives Cabrera to the Yankees home games. Cano is credited with being a big part of Melky's acclimation to the team and the States. He also serves as Melky's unofficial translator.^[9]
• It has been mentioned that Melky's father has a total of twelve toes, six on each feet.
• On July 7, 2007, Cabrera tied a Yankees record by striking out 5 times in a single 13-inning game, a feat known as the platinum sombrero.
• On August 3, 2007 - Cabrera hit a bizarre ground rule double that didn't get past first base. On the play Cabrera hit a line drive up the middle that struck the leg of Royals pitcher Ryan Braun and went into the stands. Cabrera was awarded a ground rule double.
• A popular Yankee T-shirt slogan reads "Got Melky?", a wordplay on the popular Got Milk? slogan.
• Melky Cabrera made a cameo appearance in Hector El Father's music video, Pa' La Tumba, with fellow Yankee Robinson Cano.
• In a April 2007 interview with the NEW YORK POST, Melky was asked if he had any kids and answered yes, having a 3 year old son Melky Jr.^[10]

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Christopher (Boomer) James Berman (born May 10, 1955, in Greenwich, Connecticut) is a sportscaster, who anchors SportsCenter, Monday Night Countdown, Sunday NFL Countdown, Baseball Tonight, U.S. Open golf, and other programming on ESPN. He joined ESPN a month after its founding and has been with the network since. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run which ends the game. ... Major league affiliations American League (1977–present) West Division (1977–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 42 Name Seattle Mariners (1977–present) Other nicknames The Ms Ballpark Safeco Field (1999–present) King County Domed Stadium (Kingdome) (1977-1999) Major league titles World Series titles (0) none AL Pennants (0) None... This page is about the stadium the New York Yankees currently play in. ... Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995) was an American baseball player who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. ... Robinson José Cano (born October 22, 1982 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a second baseman in Major League Baseball, who currently plays for the New York Yankees. ... Look up Golden sombrero in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... In baseball, a ground rule double is any award of two bases from the time of pitch to all baserunners including the batter-runner. ... The position of the first baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that players team. ... In baseball, a batted ball can be called one of several various things, depending on how it comes off the bat and where in the field it lands. ... Ryan Zachary Braun (born July 29, 1980, in Kitchener, Ontario) is a right handed pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. ... Word play is a literary technique in which the nature of the words used themselves become part of the subject of the work. ... Got Milk? is an American advertising campaign encouraging the purchase of cows milk, which was created by the advertising agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners for the California Milk Processor Board in 1993 and later licensed for use by milk processors and dairy farmers. ... Héctor Delgado Román, known as Héctor El Father and previously known as Héctor El Bambino (born September 4, 1978 in Carolina, Puerto Rico) is a well-known Puerto Rican reggaeton artist and producer, that rose to fame as a member of the duo Héctor y... Robinson José Cano (born October 22, 1982 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a second baseman in Major League Baseball, who currently plays for the New York Yankees. ...

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube

• Baseball America 2006 Prospect Handbook : The Comprehensive Guide to Rising Stars from the Definitive Source on Prospects. Baseball America. 193239110X. 
• Yankees promote prospect Cabrera
• Future's Now for an Heir Apparent
• Redding, Yanks roughed up by Sox
• New York Yankees transactions, July 2005