Hoboken senior makes most of last chance to impress colleges
At first glance, it appeared to be a minor injury, but in reality, it turned out to be far worse. When Hoboken senior Kelvin Cabrera went down to the floor during a varsity basketball game in February, clutching his right shoulder, he had no idea how severe the injury was.
"He got his shot blocked during the game and he bent his shoulder back," said Hoboken baseball and basketball head coach Buddy Matthews. "Certainly, the first thing that goes through your mind is wondering just how hurt Kelvin was."
"I tried to remain positive," Cabrera said. "I thought I was going to be able to come back to play basketball again."
However, it wasn’t that simple. The diagnosis was a dislocated shoulder, similar to the injury suffered by Yankees superstar Derek Jeter on Opening Day in Toronto. Not only was Cabrera’s basketball season history, but there was a question whether he would be able to play baseball as well this season.
Matthews, who coached Cabrera on the hardwood and on the diamond, was counting on Cabrera to be one of his top pitchers this season. But the injury saw to that. However, there was some question whether Cabrera could play at all, whether he could swing a bat without pain.
"The doctors told me that if I needed surgery, I wasn’t going to be able to play baseball at all," Cabrera said. "I was a little bit nervous about it, because I’m a baseball player first. I just waited to see what happened, to see if I could feel better to swing a bat. I thought I might not be able to make it."
"There was a strong concern," Matthews said. "Even though he came back, ready to play basketball, we weren’t sure whether he would be healthy enough to swing a bat or throw the ball. We knew he wasn’t going to be able to pitch, and that was a big loss. But he wasn’t cleared to do anything in baseball until the first week of practice [in March]."
Added Matthews, "It was tough for me, because I needed him for both sports, but baseball was the sport that we were hoping to get him into college with. We couldn’t rush him back."
Cabrera had to work his way through the injury. Luckily, he didn’t require surgery.
"I just had to work hard to get back on the field," Cabrera said. "When I tried to swing the bat at first, it hurt. I could do it, but the pain was there. In the back of my head, I was a little worried."
Cabrera took his time, and eventually, the pain went away.
Recently, it has been the Red Wings’ opponents that have been feeling the pain of Cabrera’s mighty swing.
The senior has been downright unconscious at the plate in recent weeks, getting 13 hits in his last 21 at-bats (a .647 clip), including four doubles, a triple and nine RBI. Cabrera is now batting a robust .553 for the season.
For his efforts, Cabrera has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Cabrera said that he is somewhat shocked, not only by his rapid recovery, but also his prowess at the plate.
"I’m a little surprised," Cabrera said. "I didn’t know how well I would hit, and no one told me what my batting average was. I just have been practicing a lot and trying to learn as much as possible."
Matthews said that Cabrera has worked diligently to improve on his swing from a year ago. Cabrera batted .358 in limited action last year, so his average has improved by nearly 200 points, which is unthinkable.
"The key to Kelvin is repetition," Matthews said. "He’s playing a lot more and he has a lot of confidence now. [He] has been gaining more and more each time he plays. We’ve moved him around in the lineup and he’s been really pounding the ball, batting No. 3."
Recently, Ralph Eusebio, the former Hoboken All-State outfielder who played professionally in the Chicago Cubs’ organization, stopped by to take a look at Cabrera.
"Honestly, he really reminds me of Ralph," Matthews said. "Kelvin has the same short, compact swing that Ralph had. And Ralph said that he sees Kelvin in him."
"It feels good when people say that," Cabrera said. "He was a good hitter and a good player. I wouldn’t mind being like him."
Matthews said that he believes a healthy Cabrera could play on the collegiate level.
"I’m sure he will be able to," said Matthews, who expects Brookdale Community College to come calling on Cabrera. "Kelvin is one of the nicest kids we’ve ever had. He’s very polite, very respectful and never in trouble. He’s just a tremendous young man, and I’m very happy he’s had the success he’s had."
Obviously, Cabrera is also elated to be able to play and perform, after overcoming the adversity caused by the injury.
"It’s my dream to play college baseball, so I’m happy to be able to get a chance now," Cabrera said. "I hope I’ve opened some eyes this season."
Definitely a lot more attention than he would have received if he was on the sidelines this spring. – Jim Hague