Oswaldo Cabrera’s jack-of-all-trades versatility was the topic of conversation in Aaron Boone’s office recently. The Yankees manager found himself in the middle of a sentence when a million-dollar marketing idea struck -- or so he thought.
“We should get T-shirts made,” Boone said. “’Where’s Oswaldo?’”
As Boone was swiftly informed, graphic designers have already connected the switch-hitting 24-year-old and illustrator Martin Handford’s ski-cap-clad Waldo character, the latter of whom had an affinity for red and white stripes and a propensity to blend into crowded situations.
Unlike our old pal Waldo (you know, our eyes still haven’t recovered from those marathon elementary school searching sessions), Cabrera stands out, even on a roster populated by superstars. Cabrera has played every position but catcher, pitcher and center field in the Majors, and he recently joined MLB.com for a Q&A, discussing the importance of being ready for any opportunity:
MLB.com: What do you like about this utilityman role, playing so many different positions?
Cabrera: I love everything. I love coming to the field, seeing if I’m playing a different position that day. I really enjoy that. It’s fun for me to be playing a different position all the time.
MLB.com: What has been the most natural one for you? Which feels like your position?
Cabrera: That’s a good question. I don’t know. I feel good at second, I feel good at third. I didn’t play this year yet at shortstop but I know I can feel good in the infield. At the same time, I can say right field is one of the most comfortable positions that I play.
MLB.com: Why is that? What is it about right field?
Cabrera: I think you’ve got more opportunity to see the ball; you can see the ball better. There’s so many different things. At the same time, I have a lot of the same feelings at second, third and shortstop too.
MLB.com: How were you able to learn the outfield so quickly last year?
Cabrera: I was training in Double-A, Triple-A and the offseason in 2021. I was focused to be ready in the moment if they needed me in the big leagues. I was with a couple of guys that were mentors for me, like Ender Inciarte and Ryan LaMarre. My brother (Eleardo) is an outfielder too. There were a couple of coaches when I was in Double-A and Triple-A. They taught me so much.
MLB.com: How did Inciarte and LaMarre help you?
Cabrera: One thing that I always remember from LaMarre is to be behind the ball all the time. Get in front of the ball all the time. Inciarte, one thing that he taught me was things about the first step is the most important in the outfield. Just get a couple quick steps.
MLB.com: One of your best moments last season came on Aug. 19 in right field, jumping to take a homer away from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. What was that catch like from your perspective?
Cabrera: That was a dream come true. In my mind, I never thought I would play in the outfield in the beginning of my career. In that moment, when I caught the ball, I’ve never yelled like that before. I was super excited and that was my reaction. If I do something in the infield, it’s probably something that I did in the Minors, so it’s nothing new for me. But [robbing a homer] was so new.
MLB.com: When you watched the highlight, what did you think?
Cabrera: ‘That’s me? I did that?’ I watched it later and I felt proud about that. That was the best time I’ve got in my memories playing baseball, at that time.
MLB.com: Aaron Boone was asked about you recently and he said, ‘He’s always smiling.’ Is he right?
Cabrera: I just try to enjoy all the time. I’m blessed and grateful to be part of the Yankees. I just take that like an advantage in my mind. I’m trying to enjoy everything that happens.