More than even “analytics,” nothing seems to divide baseball fans and players, alike generationally like home run celebrations. Older fans, by and large, can’t stand them. Their younger counterparts, meanwhile, generally don’t care. That frequently applies to players, as well. Judging by his recent actions, it’s fair to say that two-time MLB All-Star, Asdrúbal Cabrera, is in the former camp.
Cabrera is playing Winter League baseball in Venezuela, playing for Caribes de Anzoategui. On Saturday night, his team was playing against Tiburones de La Guaira. Carlos Castro hit a home run for Tiburones de La Guaira, breaking a late-inning tie. It was Castro’s third home run of the game and he responded with a pronounced bat flip and even stared into Caribes de Anzoategui’s dugout. Cabrera took exception.
When Castro rounded first base, he was met by Cabrera, who leveled him to the ground.
That is two-time MLB All-Star Asdrúbal Cabrera, who did not approve of his opponent's home run celebration.pic.twitter.com/1cBJAm69aq
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 20, 2022
Some baseball fans saw this and immediately compared Cabrera to WWE Hall of Famer and former champion, John Bradshaw Layfield — or JBL.
Damn, when did JBL start playing in the winter leagues? https://t.co/MLxU6pcUR3
— Shane’s Ennui (insert season here) (@ThatShaneBua) November 20, 2022
Asdrúbal Cabrera with an absolute CLOTHESLINE pic.twitter.com/CBdJlBKnSj
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) November 20, 2022
Asdrubal Cabrera with a Clothesline From Hell
pic.twitter.com/KBOnxV2JyO— Steven (@steviebreech) November 20, 2022
Others who saw what happened were just disgusted.
LO QUE HACE ASDRUBAL CABRERA ES DESTESTABLE.
La sanción tiene que ser GIGANTE.
— Tiburones Report (@TiburonesReport) November 20, 2022
Translation: “WHAT ASDRUBAL CABRERA DOES IS DESTESTABLE. The sanction has to be GIANT.”
Asdrubal Cabrera ¿que se siente luego del papel de cobarde que acabas de protagonizar? No solo te perjudicas a ti a tus compañeros, a tus colegas del otro equipo, si no que ensuciaste el espectáculo. No hay excusas posibles.
— LuisAlfredoAlvarez🇻🇪🇺🇸 (@LuisAlvarez_1) November 20, 2022
Translation: “Asdrubal Cabrera, what does it feel like after the coward role you just played? Not only are you hurting your teammates, your colleagues on the other team, but you also dirty the show. There are no possible excuses.”
Asdrubal Cabrera te pasaste brother… acaso no ves todas las estupideces que hace Astudillo
— kelvim escobar (@kelvimescobar) November 20, 2022
Translation: “Asdrubal Cabrera you went too far brother… don’t you see all the stupid things that Astudillo does.”
Asdrúbal Cabrera fue a golpear a traición. Eso no lo puedes tolerar ni cuando juegas en el barrio con tus amigos. Esto debe ser sancionado pero a niveles estratosféricos. Mal, muy mal espectáculo. Yadier Molina quedó en pañales ante este acto cruel. Mal por la LVBP.
— La Tribuna Deportiva ⚾🏀⚽ (@eslatribuna) November 20, 2022
Translation: “Asdrúbal Cabrera went to hit treacherously. You can’t tolerate that even when you play in the neighborhood with your friends. This must be sanctioned but at stratospheric levels. Bad, very bad show. Yadier Molina was left in diapers before this cruel act. Bad for the LVBP.”
Cabrera last played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds in 2021. In total, he played with eight different teams from 2007-2021, including two stints with the Washington Nationals.
It will be interesting to see what kind of discipline he faces here. But more likely than not, he’ll be sitting for a while.
[Photo Credit: Tiburones Report]
