2004 World Champion Orlando Cabrera Visits Polar Park April 13 for "Throwback Thursdays" Debut
On Thursday, April 13, the Worcester Red Sox welcomed Orlando Cabrera to Polar Park for the debut of "Throwback Thursdays," a new weekly promotion that allows fans to hear from and meet Boston sports legends. The 2004 World Series champion delivered a Ceremonial First Pitch during pre-game ceremonies and greeted
On Thursday, April 13, the Worcester Red Sox welcomed Orlando Cabrera to Polar Park for the debut of "Throwback Thursdays," a new weekly promotion that allows fans to hear from and meet Boston sports legends. The 2004 World Series champion delivered a Ceremonial First Pitch during pre-game ceremonies and greeted fans in the Sherwood's Diner on Summit Street for several innings.
WooSox Coordinator of Spanish Content, Michael Smithers, conducted an interview with Orlando Cabrera on April 13. This interview has been translated into English and edited for length and clarity.
Michael Smithers: Orlando, first of all, thank you. I want to ask you about your memories of wearing this uniform and being a part of this organization. What does the Boston Red Sox organization mean to you?
Orlando Cabrera: For me, this is the organization that launched my career. After winning the World Series I had many great offers in free agency, and after playing with the [Los Angeles] Angels I met my wife. She is from Boston, and we moved to New Hampshire, and I've always felt integrated in the Red Sox family.
MS: In your first at-bat [with the Red Sox], you crushed a home run, but I don't think that was your best memory as a Red Sock. You were a part of the greatest miracle in the history of this sport [for Red Sox fans]. How did it feel being a part of that comeback [in the ALCS] against the Yankees?
OC: It was amazing. It’s something that will always live in my memory and my heart. It was one of the best-played series in my career, as a team to come back after that 3-game deficit and win the next 4, especially against the team that the Yankees had that year, it was special. After that, in the World Series, it was so much easier to win those 4 games, and it will always have a very big space in my mind.
MS: We are here at Polar Park. What do you think of the ballpark? Have you been here before?
OC: No, it’s the first time.
MS: What do you think?
OC: Amazing, spectacular for a Triple-A ballpark. It looks almost like a major league ballpark. I was down there on the field seeing the dirt, and it’s really a major league field. There is no way for a player to complain about where they are playing.
MS: The fans in New England are special. What do you think about this fan base, that tends to be very demanding?
OC: They are the way any fan base should be. If you show support for your team, you deserve to have a good team. The fan base in New England is always with you, you should always do your job, and if you do this, you will always be loved here.
MS: Colombia is a country where baseball is growing more and more. We saw Colombia at the World Baseball Classic, where the team had a good performance. What advice would you give to those Colombian or Latin ballplayers who are starting their careers in college or the minors, who aspire to reach their goals?
OC: As a Latin player, my advice will always be to play Winter Ball, if possible, if [you] are still in college or high school. Follow your dreams, dedicate time to them, keep improving, and when [you] reach [the pros], always listen. If you do what is expected from you, that will take you to The Show.
MS: Can we get a shoutout hello to all the Latin communities that follow the Worcester Red Sox...
OC: Shoutout from Orlando Cabrera. Keep coming to Polar Park to enjoy this great facility and watch high-quality baseball in the Red Sox prospects that will surely be the superstars of the future.
Pictured above: WooSox catcher Ronaldo Hernandez embraces fellow Colombia native Orlando Cabrera after catching his Ceremonial First Pitch.
Pictured above: Orlando Cabrera takes photos and signs autographs for fans in the Sherwood's Diner on Summit Street.
Throwback Thursdays Lineup for the remainder of WooSox '23
April 27: Lou Merloni
May 4: Jonny Gomes
May 18: Tom "Flash" Gordon
June 8: Luis Tiant
June 22: Scott Zolak
July 6: Oil Can Boyd
July 27: Jim Rice
August 10: Wade Boggs
August 17: TBD
August 31: TBD
September 14: Will Middlebrooks