Is the brother of Jolbert Cabrera, who made 48 apps for the Reds in 2008...when Orlando plays, they will become only the seventh set of brothers to play for the Reds and the only two players from Colombia to appear in a game for the Reds...his father, Jolbert Sr., was the Marlins scout who signed Edgar Renteria.
2011
36-year-old infielder was acquired by Giants from Cleveland during July 31 trade deadline in exchange for minor league OF Thomas Neal...hit .222 (28-for-126) with 1 HR and 13 RBI in 39 games in Giants uniform...batted .244 (79-for-324) with 4 HRs and 38 RBI in 91 games for Indians in 2011 after signing with club as free agent on Feb. 16...2-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2007) started 84 games with Tribe (78 at 2nd base, 4 at 3rd and 2 at shortstop)...at time of trade his .985 fielding pct. as 2nd baseman ranked as 5th-best in AL...was part of triple play on April 3 vs. Chicago-AL as Alexei Ramirez lined into 3-4-6 triple play...Cabrera was at 2nd base...recorded his 2,000th career hit on June 12 at New York-AL, with single in his 1st at-bat off RHP Freddy Garcia...with Miguel Tejada on disabled list and rookie Brandon Crawford struggling offensively, Giants were in need for right-handed hitting shortstop so club traded for Cabrera just before trade deadline had passed on July 31...started 34 of 55 games for Giants (33 at shortstop and 1 at 2nd base)...started 17-straight games once he was acquired, but then started just 16 of SF's final 34 games...hit .167 (8-for-48) over his final 17 games...Colombian native is 1 of 6 active players with at least 1,900 hits, 400 2Bs, 100 HRs and 200 stolen bases (Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu and Edgar Renteria).
2009
For the Athletics and Twins produced 77 RBI, the most by any shortstop in the Major Leagues in '09...his 83 runs scored were fourth-most by a shortstop...ranked eighth in the American League with 56 multi-hit games, second-most by a shortstop (Derek Jeter, 66)...produced at least 185 hits in a season for the fourth time in his career...in spring training was signed by Oak to a one-year contract...was traded to the Twins at the 7/31 deadline...around that trade, from 7/20-8/13, produced a career-high 22-game hitting streak (.351) that included 11-game streaks for each team...became only the fourth player since 1883 to produce a 20-game hitting streak while playing for two teams (Joey Cora with Sea and Cle in 1998, Heinie Manush with StL and Wash in 1930, Tom Mansell with Det and StL in 1883)...from 9/19-10/2 scored a run in 13 consecutive games, the longest streak by a Twins batter since Kirby Puckett had a streak of 14 straight games with a run in 1986...finished the season with a 16-game hitting streak (.397) to help the Twins finish 12-4 and win the AL Central Division title...hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning of the AL tiebreaker game vs the Tigers.
2008
For the White Sox ranked second in the American League in singles (144) and at-bats (661), third in plate appearances (730), T3rd in sacrifice flies (9), fourth in games played (161), sixth in plate appearances-per-strikeout (10.28) and T6th in hits (186)...finished fourth among AL shortstops with a .978 fielding percentage, the eighth-highest mark in White Sox history...led the team in hits, runs scored, stolen bases and multi-hit games (52)...the 186 hits were the most by a Sox player since Magglio Ordonez in 2002 (189) and his 144 singles were the most since Lance Johnson in 1995 (146)...hit .298 after the All-Star break...among AL shortstops ranked first in hits and third in both batting average and runs scored...the Sox went 73-55 in games in which batted leadoff...on 5/18 at SF hit a pair of homers, including the 100th HR of his career...on 5/30 at TB singled off James Shields for his 1,500th career hit...in the 4-game series from 9/15-9/18 at NYY produced 5 doubles, tying the record for a series at Yankee Stadium...Baltimore's Jerry Adair is the only other visiting player to hit 5 doubles in a series at Yankee Stadium (August 1963).
2007
In third season with Angels, led team in runs for second straight season with a career-best 101 runs scored...His career-high 192 hits led Halos and are most ever by an Angels' shortstop...His .301 clip and 86 RBI ranked third among AL shortstops...Led AL shortstops with a .983 fielding pct., second time in three seasons (also 2005) he led AL shortstops...Logged 20 or more stolen bases for third straight season and fifth time in his career...His 155 games played led Angels...Reached base safely in 130 of his 155 games...Batted .311 (56/180) with RISP and .318 (100/314) on the road...Finished 6th in AL with 192 hits and 3rd with 63 multi-hit games...Tied for AL lead with 11 sacrifice flies...Committed first error of season May 4 vs. CWS - the last regular MLB shortstop to commit a miscue...Had walk-off single in 11th inn., June 22 vs. Pitt...Led Angels batting .372 (42/113) in May...Matched career-best with four hits (7th time) and four runs scored (2nd time), June 4 vs. Min...Matched career-best with three stolen bases, Aug. 15 at Tor. (also July 31, 2005 at NYY)...Tied career-best 15-game hit streak May 10-25.
2006
The shortstop led the Angels with 95 runs scored, which also tied a career high. Cabrera improved on nearly every stat during his second year with the Halos, finally rewarding the club for his big free-agent contract before the 2005 season. From April 25 to July 6, Cabrera reached base safely in a club-record 63 straight games, the sixth-longest single-season streak in Major League history. He delivered a straight steal of home against the Dodgers on July 2.
2005
In first season with Angels, tied for Major League lead among shortstops (Omar Vizquel) with .988 fielding pct (7 E) and tied club record (D. Eckstein - .988 in 2004) ... Derek Jeter ranked second in AL with .979 mark ... Fourth hardest to strikeout in AL (1/11.7 PA) ... Hit .271 (75-for-277) after All-Star break; .243 (64-for-263) before break ... In 2004, he hit .294 (85-for-289) after break and .237 (78-for-329) before break ... Eight of his 15 RBIs in September and October tied the game or gave the Angels the lead ... Moved up to No. 2 spot in order July 29 and responded with 39 runs and 32 RBIs in 58 games ... Six of his eight homers came on the road ... Stole three bases July 31 at Yankees -- first Angel with three steals in a game since Rickey Henderson, (9-7-97 at Detroit) ... Registered 20-plus stolen bases for the third time in four seasons ... Sixteen of 21 steals came after All-Star break ... Activated from 15-day DL on July 16 ... Placed on DL July 2 (retro to 6/27) due to right elbow strain (missed total of seven games combined over previous four seasons) ... Collected 1,000th career hit June 13 vs. Washington ... Hit fourth career walk-off homer on April 21 vs. Cleveland, leading off 10th inning ... Reunited with Vladimir Guerrero, whom he was a teammate with Montreal organization for nine seasons (1993-94 in Dominican Summer League and 1997-03 in Montreal).
2004
Began 12th professional season with Montreal Expos, batting .246 (96-for-390) with 19 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 31 RBIs in 103 games ... Posted 10-game hit streak, April 16-25, batting .317 (13-for-41) in that span ... Traded to Boston as part of four-team deal, July 31 ... Hit .294 (67-for-228) with 19 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 31 RBIs in 58 games with Red Sox ... Homered in first plate appearance with Sox, Aug. 1 at Minnesota (off Johan Santana) ... Was eighth player in club history to homer in first plate appearance and first since Curtis Pride, Sept. 19, 1997 vs. Chicago (off Keith Foulke) ... Went hitless in next 11 at-bats and started Sox career in 2-for-21 slump ... From that point, he hit .314 (65-for-207) ... Hit in 12 straight games, Aug. 15-27, during which he posted a .408 average (20-for-49) with six doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs ... Included in streak were six multihit efforts ... In final 45 games, he batted .333 (58-for-174) with 16 doubles, one triple, five home runs and 28 RBIs ... Appeared in 161 games between Expos and Red Sox ... Did not play on day he was traded, and he missed two games, Sept. 20-21, to return to Columbia, where his wife underwent surgery ... In first game back, he hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning in Boston's 7-6 win over Baltimore ... Home run was his third career walk-off shot and second of season (also hit one June 20 vs. White Sox) ... Fared better on road, posting .274 average (85-for-310) with eight home runs and 32 RBIs, compared to .253 (78-for-308) with two homers and 30 RBIs at home ... Batted .295 (57-for-193) vs. left-handers and .249 (106-for-425) vs. righties ... Batted in every spot in lineup at least once between Expos and Sox.
2003
Cabrera was selected Expos Most Valuable Player, winning the award for the second time in three seasons ... Also named Expos Player of the Month twice, in May and September ... Had his finest offensive season, batting .297 with 17 home runs and a team-leading 80 RBIs ... For the second time in three years, he was the Expos' iron man ... Established new highs in batting average, on-base percentage (.347), slugging percentage (.460), runs (95), hits (186), doubles (47), home runs, extra-base hits (66), walks (52), total bases (288) and sacrifice flies (9) ... Also matched career bests in at-bats (626) and games (162) ... Ranked among National League leaders in hits (9th), multihit games (T9th), doubles (T6th), stolen bases (8th), home batting average (10th), sacrifice flies (T2nd), at-bats (5th) and games (T1st) ... Led Montreal in hits, multihit games, runs, doubles, RBIs, stolen bases, total bases, games and at-bats ... Also tied for the club lead with 20 multi-RBI games.
2003 Highlights:
- SHORT STOKE: With 17 long balls, set a new club single-season record for homers by a shortstop...passed teammate Wil Cordero, who hit 15 homers in 1994 as Montreal's shortstop.
- TWO-BASE HITS: Marked his third straight season with at least 40 doubles...improved his numbers each year going from 41 to 43 to 47 in 2003, the third highest total in franchise history...the team leaders are Mark Grudzielanek with league-leading 54 doubles in 1997 and José Vidro with 51 in 2000.
- NOTHING SHORT OF REMARKABLE: Among National League shortstops, ranked first in extra-base hits, tied for first in doubles with Edgar Renteria, second in batting average, slugging percentage, RBI and total bases.
- DYNAMIC DUO: Orlando and Jose Vidro have started more games together (572) than any other current double-play combo in baseball...Florida's tandem of Alex Gonzalez and Luis Castilla rank a distant 2nd with 485...the Vidro-Cabrera double-play tandem is also the most frequent in Expos history...2B Mike Lansing and SS Mark Grudzielanek rank 2nd, having started 318 games together from 1995-97.
- ALL 162: Joined Juan Pierre and Richie Sexson as one of just 3 National Leaguers to play in 162 games in 2003...3 American Leaguers also played in at least 162 contests...they were Hideki Matsui (big league-leading 163), Aubrey Huff (162) and Miguel Tejada (162)...has played in 168 straight games dating to September 24, 2002, including 130 consecutive starts dating to May 7 vs. San Diego...his longest game streak is 248 consecutive games played from the 2000 season to July 3, 2002... Vladimir Guerrero holds the team record with 276 consecutive games.
- FULL-TIME FOURSOME: Is the first and only Expo to play in 162 or more games in a single season more than once...in fact, is one of only 4 players have played in all 162 games for the Expos in 35 complete National League seasons...the tireless 4: Rusty Staub (1971), Ken Singleton (1973), Warren Cromartie (1980) and Cabrera (2001, 2003).
- STOLEN MOMENTS: Before being caught stealing by Charles Johnson on May 17 at Colorado, had swiped 23 straight bags without being caught, including a club single-season record 21 in a row in 2002...before being thrown out at Coors Field, had not been gunned down in 23 attempts to steal since June 20 vs. KC, 2002 by A.J. Hinch...Tim Raines holds the overall club record having stole 27 straight bases from 1979-81...has been successful on 45 of 47 stolen base attempts (95.7%) beginning July 1, 2002.
- HALF AND HALF: Posted superior power numbers in the season's first half as opposed to the 2nd half...batted. 300 with 13 HRs, 51 RBI and a slugging percentage of .483 before the All-Star game and .293 with 4 HRs and 29 RBI and a slugging percentage of .429 in the second half.
- 15 LOVE IT!!!: Hit safely in a career-high 15 straight games, July 2-20...went 21-for-64 (.328) with 5 doubles, 2 home runs and 6 RBI during the 15-gamer, which was the longest turned in by an Expo in '03...the streak featured 10 games with one hit, 4 with 2 and a 3-hit night.
- THAT'S A BIG GAME: Went 3-for-5 with a home run and a career-high 6 RBI in a come-from-behind 13-10 win on July 27 vs. Atlanta...also stole a base...Orlando's 2-run shot in the 8th inning not only capped the scoring, it tied the Expos' single-season record for home runs by a shortstop (more on this record above)...the 6 RBI were also a team-season high.
- MORE HEROICS: Capped Expos' 4-run first inning with a 2-run homer off Greg Maddux on Opening Day, March 31 at Atlanta...Montreal went on to win, 10-2...down 1-0, hit solo shot off Armando Benitez to lead off 9th inning on April 13 vs. New York (NL) to send game to extra innings...from there, Jose Vidro claimed 2-1 win with a game-ending solo homer off Mike Stanton to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning...matched career high with 4 hits on May 7 vs. San Diego...slugged a 2-out tie-breaking 3-run shot to cap a 7-run 8th inning as the Expos came back to win, 8-5, on June 21 vs. Toronto...scored on an 11th-inning wild pitch to cap a wild 9-8 comeback win on July 25 vs. Atlanta...facing Roberto Hernandez, laced a game-winning RBI double in a 10-inning 5-4 victory on September 16 vs. Atlanta.
- LOVE THE LEATHER: Played 1385.2 innings at shortstop in 2003 (96.4% of Montreal's innings)...posted a .975 fielding percentage...committed 18 errors...was in on 101 double plays...had 732 total chances...made 11 fewer errors and improved fielding percentage by .013 compared to 2002, when Orlando struggled defensively due to a bad back.
- MORE HIGHLIGHTS: Will enter the 2004 season within reach of the following milestones: 200 doubles (5 shy), 400 RBI (50 shy), 100 stolen bases (19 shy)...batted .329 with 6 home runs and 37 RBI at Olympic Stadium in 2003...went 27-for-79 (.342) with 2 home runs and 11 RBI at Hiram Bithorn Stadium...hit .292 (87-for-298) with 9 home runs and 38 RBI against N.L. East rivals Atlanta, Florida, New York (NL) and Philadelphia...5 of 17 home runs in 2003 came against Atlanta...also drove in 18 runs against the Braves...did not post more than 7 RBI against any other club in '03...12 of 17 homers were of the solo variety...posted a .379 on-base percentage when leading off an inning...batted .380 with 6 home runs when swinging at the first pitch...had 10 multi-hit games in May en route to batting .343 on the month....posted 6
consecutive multi-hit games, September 7-13, going 15-for-25 (.600) with 4 doubles, one triple and 5 RBI.
- CASH FOR KIDS FOUNDATION: For the second straight year, contributed $50 for each of his RBI and double-plays to Prospect Sports, a baseball program for Montreal area kids offering the chance to improve both in sports and education...donated a total of $10,200 U.S.
2002
Cabrera highlighted his campaign by setting career highs with 43 doubles and 25 stolen bases, while he saw his 56 RBI and 29 errors mark significant declines from the previous year, in which he set personal bests with 96 RBI and 11 errors during a Gold Glove-winning season... Tied with teammate Jose Vidro for third place among NL hitters in doubles (43), one fewer than FLA's Mike Lowell and seven short of league leader PHI's Bobby Abreu... Marked his second straight season with at least 40 doubles... Set a team record with his 21 consecutive stolen bases, breaking the old mark of 20 SB set by Tim Raines in 1981... Marked the longest streak in the majors during the season... Made 150 starts at shortstop and finished with a .962 fielding percentage, registering a total of 764 total chances to rank 15th among NL shortstops... SF's Rich Aurilia led the way with a .980 fielding percentage (11 errors in 558 total chances).
2002 Highlights:
- SPRING TRAINING: Was bothered by a lower back injury throughout spring training and much of the season... An MRI during spring training revealed a bulging disc in the lower part of his spinal chord.
- GRAND OPENING: Went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI in the Expos' season opener April 2 versus Florida... Hit the game-winning single off FLA's Braden Looper with two outs in the ninth inning to cap off a three-run rally and give Montreal the 7-6 win... Was his second big game in as many season home openers... In 2001, Cabrera hit a three-run double in the second inning and added a solo HR to help Montreal past the visiting New York Mets 10-6.
- MILESTONE: Collected his 500th base hit June 4 at Olympic Stadium, collecting a single to left field off PIT's Jimmy Anderson... Notched the 250th RBI of his career July 28 versus the Florida Marlins...
- BLOOD BROTHERS: Played against his older brother Jolbert when the Cleveland Indians visited Olympic Stadium June 21-23... Marked the first time they were on the same field since playing together in AAA-Ottawa in 1997... Were one of eight brother combinations in the majors during the season, joining: Sandy and Roberto Alomar, Bret and Aaron Boone, Jason and Jeremy Giambi, Wilton and Vladimir Guerrero, Brian and Marcus Giles, Orlando and Livan Hernandez, and J.D. and Tim Drew...
- FLYING HIGH: His 4-for-5 performance July 1 at Atlanta equalled his career high of four hits in a game... Matched the feat with a four-hit showing September 24 versus Florida to mark his fifth career four-hit game...
- TAKING A BREAK: Sat out the Expos' July 4 contest at Philadelphia, breaking a streak of 248 consecutive games played since the 2000 season... Vladimir Guerrero holds the team record with 276 consecutive games...
- MAN OF STEAL: Stole third base September 25 versus Florida giving him 21st consecutive stolen base... The streak, which began July 1 at Atlanta, set a club record for most consecutive stolen bases in one season, breaking Tim Raines' mark established in 1981 (20 SB)... Saluted Raines, sitting in the Marlins' dugout, when he went out to the infield the next inning... Raines is still the holder of the team record of most consecutive stolen bases overall (27 SB, 1979-81).
- HE'S A THIEF: Stole eight bases in his last 12 games and a total of 11 stolen bases in September...His 25 stolen bases in 32 attempts broke his previous career high of 19 SB, set the previous season.
- DOUBLE TROUBLE: His two doubles September 24 versus Florida equalled his personal best of 41 doubles in 2001...Would set a career high the next day against the Marlins at Olympic Stadium.
- JUST THE TEN OF US: Had a 10-game hitting streak September 14-27, marking his season high... Raised his average at the time from .252 to .265, compiling an 18x43 (.419) total with five doubles, two HR, 10 RBI and seven runs... Went 29-for-93 (.312) in September, including two HR, 14 RBI and 12 runs.
- TO ERR IS HUMAN: His 29 errors marked the most in his career since committing 27 at A-Delmarva in 1996... Had 11 errors in 2001 -- his NL Gold Glove Award-winning season.
- CABRERA'S CASH FOR KIDS: Set up a foundation through which he contributed $50 for each RBI and double-play involvement he had... Donated a total of $8000 to Prospect, a baseball program offering Montrealers aged 6-22 years the chance to improve both in sports and education...Had a total of 56 RBI and 102 double plays, while contributing $100 for his triple play involvement Sept. 3 vs Philadelphia.
2001
Cabrera won a Gold Glove in 2001 and was crowned Expos' Player of the Year on the heels of a fantastic season after establishing himself as one of the finest fielders at his position, while providing career highs in several offensive categories...Played in all 162 games, making him the first Expo to play in every game since Warren Cromartie in 1980...Led all NL shortstops in fielding percentage...Set a career high with a 12-game hitting streak, while tying personal best marks for most hits and RBI in a game... Finished strong, being named the Expos' Player of the Month for September/October.
2001 Highlights:
- FOLLOW THE LEADER: Ranked among the NL's best shortstops in several batting categories... Led all major-league shortstops with 41 doubles... Ranked second in RBI among NL SS with 96 RBI (Rich Aurilia, 97)... Was third in hits (173) and at-bats (626), and was fourth in batting average (.276)...Finished with six triples, tops among the Expos and ranked 11th in the National League...
- GOLD GLOVE: Led all NL shortstops with a .986 fielding percentage, committing 11 errors in 771 total chances – the most among NL shortstops...Played in 162 games, making 160 starts – the most among NL shortstops... Led all ML SS with 514 assists while tying Aurilia for first in the NL with 246 putouts...Trailed only Aurilia (108) with 106 double plays... Went 36 games without an error Aug. 4-Sept. 19, while going without a miscue 33 straight games June 25-August 2...
- ORLANDO MAGIC: Proved to be the savior on six occasions...Had a game-winning three-run double off Colorado's Jay Powell in the eighth inning September 20, giving the Expos a 6-3 lead en route to an 8-3 victory... Hit a GW single in the ninth inning off Jose Mesa September 2 @ Philadelphia to give Montreal a 3-2 lead, going on to win 6-2... Went 1-for-4 with a GW bases-clearing double in the ninth inning August 14 @ LA, giving the Expos a 4-1 road win... His solo HR off Albie Lopez in the fourth inning was the only offence the Expos would need in a 1-0 victory at Arizona, August 2... Hit a game-winning double in the bottom of the ninth June 30 vs the Pirates to give the Expos the 7-6 win, while handing Mike Williams his first blown save in 24 chances, dating back to September 3, 2000...Hit a GW three-run HR off Paul Quantrill in the ninth inning June 17 to beat the Blue Jays 4-1 at the Big O...
- FOUR CORNERS: Tied a career high of four hits August 9 vs the Cardinals, going 4-for-5 with two doubles...Tied a personal best set twice before (last, July 3, 2000 @ Atlanta)...
- FIVE ALIVE: Drove in five runs September 20 in an 8-3 victory over the Rockies at the Big O... Tied his career high, set twice previously, including once almost an exact year ago (last, September 21, 2000 vs Florida)...
- DIRTY DOZEN: Collected a hit in 12 straight games May 7-19, setting a career-longest hitting streak... Broke his previous best mark of nine games, set April 13-24, 1999...
- FOR STARTERS: Hit in the leadoff spot 37 times throughout the season... Batted leadoff April 14 vs Florida for the first time since May 1-2 & 5 in 2000... Homered off Eric Gagné May 17 vs the Dodgers, marking the Expos' first leadoff HR since May 20, 2000 (Peter Bergeron vs Houston's Scott Elarton)...Batted cleanup 47 times...
- COLOMBIAN CONNECTION: Cabrera was one of three Colombian natives to play in the majors this past year, joining his brother Jolbert, who played for the Indians, and the Cardinals' Edgar Renteria, who hails from Barranquilla...
- ROLLING (MILE)STONES: Collected his 300th career hit May 4 off Houston's Wade Miller in the eighth inning at Olympic Stadium... Played his 350th career game May 1 vs the Diamondbacks at the Big O.
2000
Cabrera, in his second season in 2000 as the team's every-day shortstop, set career highs in hits (100), doubles (25), homers (13) and RBI (55)... Ranked second among NL shortstops in fielding percentage, committing 10 miscues in 515 total chances (.981)...Only the Cubs' Ricky Gutierrez finished with a better percentage (.986)...Missed 27 games with a separated right shoulder from July 15-August 15...Suffered the injury diving for a ball at Tampa on July 14... Played in two games with the AAA-Ottawa Lynx as part of an injury rehab assignment...Suffered a serious injury for the second season in a row...In 1999, missed the last two months because of a severely sprained left ankle...Played winter ball with Culiacan in the Mexican Pacific League...COMBO: Cabrera and Jose Vidro combined for 37 home runs and 152 RBI, the second highest totals for a shortstop/second baseman tandem in the league...Giants' Rich Aurilia and Jeff Kent were the best with 55 HRs and 204 RBI.
2001 Highlights:
- OPENER: Started second consecutive Opening Night at SS on April 3 after Mark Grudzielanek made the previous three...
- 4 RBI NIGHT: Went 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI April 6 vs L.A., connecting for a 3-run HR off Carlos Perez...
- TRIPLE PLAY: Took the throw from Lee Stevens who had touched first base after catching a hard grounder from Cubs' Henry Rodriguez on May 10 at Olympic Stadium, tagged out Sammy Sosa and fired to Chris Widger at home to throw out Ricky Gutierrez...Was the 10th triple play in club history...
- HEAVY HEART: Missed the three-game series at San Diego, May 26-28, to attend his father's funeral in Colombia...
- MAGIC NIGHT: Went 4-for-5 with a career-high two homers and five RBI on July 3 at Atlanta... Homered in the 5th off Ismael Villegas and in the 8th off Dave Stevens... DEEP UP THE MIDDLE: Both Jose Vidro and Orlando homered twice that night, marking the first time that middle-infielders each homered twice in the same contest since May 7, 1993, when Jeff Blauser and Mark Lemke accomplished the feat vs Colorado...Became the fourth pair in Expos' history to do so, and the first since Chris Widger and Mark Grudzielanek on May 13, 1998 at San Francisco...
- D'BACKS: Went 3-for-4 with double, 3 RBI on August 28 to stun Curt Schilling and the Diamondbacks, 9-5...
- 5 RBI: Drove in a career-high five runs on September 21 vs Florida while hitting a three-run homer off A.J. Burnett... Was second 5-RBI night of the season and of his career...TEAM RECORD: His homer was the team's #173, which broke the previous team record... Connected for a three-run homer off Kevin Millwood the next night...Homered in back-to-back games once in 2000...
- GAME WINNER: Hit game winning HR on September 15 vs Mets – a two-run HR off Turk Wendell in 6th... Was seventh 3-hitter of season...his 13 homers produced 27 runs...Belted five 3-run homers.
1999
Cabrera solidified his status as the Expos' every-day shortstop of the future as he once again made spectacular plays look routine while contributing significantly with his bat... Finished his abbreviated season with 36 extra-base hits... At 24 years of age, he was in the process of establishing himself as one of the premiere young shortstops in the game before a freak accident on August 8 vs the Padres put a sudden end to his season... He severely sprained his left ankle after he stepped hard on first base trying to beat out a ground ball... He immediately hit the turf and needed assistance to walk off the field... X-rays taken that night showed stretched ligaments in his foot and a soft cast was placed to mobilize his lower leg... He would subsequently spend the next six weeks rehabilitating his injury at the Club's Minor League facility in Jupiter, FL with Paul Fournier, Minor League coordinator of rehabilitation and conditioning.
Cabrera's season was highlighted by a 42-consecutive-game errorless streak, which ran from April 28-June 14... Broke the streak on June 15 at St. Louis after allowing a Thomas Howard ground ball to go through his legs in the 6th inning, allowing two runs to score in a 3-2 loss... Before that miscue, he led all NL shortstops with a .992 fielding percentage, committing just two errors in 259 chances since the start of the season... The Expos record for fewest errors by a shortstop in a season belongs to Spike Owen, who committed six miscues in 562 total chances (.989 fielding percentage) in 1990... Spike also holds the NL record by a SS by going 63 consecutive games without committing an error, from April 9-June 22, 1990 (252 total chances), surpassing the Mets Kevin Elster's mark of 60 games set in 1988.
- FOR OPENERS: Went 3-for-4, three runs scored while batting second in the season opener on April 5 at Pittsburgh... Tied a career high with the three runs scored for the second time (July 30, 1998 at San Francisco)... Was first opening night start, taking over for Mark Grudzielanek, who started the previous three.
- STREAK: Hit safely in nine straight games, from April 13-24, going 14-for-42 with four doubles, one HR, eight RBI... Was the longest hit streak of his career... Had an eight gamer from July 31 until the day of his injury on August 8... Was 10-for-27 (.370) with two walks, triple, three homers and nine RBI during his last run.
- REWARDED: Named Expos Player of the Month for May after going 33-for-102 (.324) with eight doubles, two triples and two homers while driving in 14 runs as the eighth man in the order... Did not commit an error in the 27 games.
- DRAMATIC HR: Hit a 9th-inning, three-run HR off Arizona's Byung-Hyan Kim on May 31 to tie the game up at 5-5... Expos went on to lose 8-5 in 10 innings.
- BIG DAY: Went 3-for-5 with a double, triple, HR and two RBI on June 7 vs Boston... Hit a two-run homer off John Wasdin in the 8th to set a career high with his fourth HR... Was a single short of the cycle, collecting three extra-base hits for the first time in his career.
- BASES LOADED: Hit a bases-clearing double (coupled with a Brian Jordan error) as part of a five-run 8th inning vs the Braves on June 30 at Montreal... Expos went on to win 7-5.
- GAME TYING HR: Tied the game up at 3-3 after connecting for a homer vs the Mets Turk Wendell at Shea Stadium on July 8... Expos went on to win 4-3.
- GAME WINNING HR: Hit a two-run shot off the Cubs Kevin Tapani at Wrigley Field on August 2 to break a 1-1 tie in the 5th... Expos went on to win 5-1.
- CONSECUTIVE HOMERS: Homered in two consecutive games from August 6-7... First homer came at the expense of Will Cunnane before hitting a two-run homer off Woody Williams... Was third homer of the week.
- THREE HITTER: Had six three-hit games en route to collecting 26 multi-hit games on the year.
- LEAD-OFF MAN: Was 30-for-112 (.268), with 11 doubles, two triples, four homers, eight RBI and 20 runs scored in the lead-off spot in 25 starts in that role... Batted 8th 50 times and second 11 times.
1998
Cabrera became the Expos every-day shortstop a few days after the trade of Mark Grudzielanek to the Dodgers on July 31, 1998... With the help of newly-acquired second baseman Wilton Guerrero, they solidified the infield's defense, as Orlando committed only three errors while making many spectacular plays in 48 starts at short... Made a total of seven errors between second base and short during the season... Made his '98 debut on June 24, playing primarily at second base between June 30 and July 31, making 24 starts in 28 games... Offensively, he surprised many with his output after being optioned to AAA Ottawa near the end of Spring Training due to his continued difficulties at the plate... Collected 16 doubles, five triples and three home runs for a total of 73 hits in 79 games with Montreal.
- FOR THE RECORD: In a little over three months with the team, he entered the record book on several occasions... His first Major League homer was an inside-the-park job... Also rapped two triples in a game and once collected three doubles in a contest, tying two team records in the process.
- CALLED UP: Joined the big club on June 24 to replaced Mike Mordecai, who was DL'd... Batted .232 (63-for-272) with 26 RBI in 66 games with AAA Ottawa and was fourth in the International League with 19 stolen bases at the time of his recall... Doubled off Toronto's Roger Clemens at the Big O in his first plate appearance after the call-up.
- HIGH RBI: Collected three RBI twice in a game, first on July 3, going 2-for-3, triple vs Florida in first career start at short-stop, and also on September 18 at Philadelphia, going 4-for-5, three doubles.
- FIRST HR: Hit an inside-the-park homer off the Phillies Mark Portugal... Became second Expos player to hit an inside-the-park HR as first career round-tripper, the first being Bombo Rivera in 1976 (grand slam)... Hit first over-the-fence homer on August 24 vs the Reds Pete Harnisch.
- TRIPLES: Hit a pair triples on July 30 against the Giants to tie a team record for the 14th time while scoring a personal best three runs.
- DOUBLES: Collected four hits on September 18 at Philadelphia with three doubles and three RBI, all career highs, tying the team record for doubles in a game for 21st time.
- LAST HR: Hit a solo shot at St. Louis off Matt Morris on September 27... Homered in-between Mark McGwire's 69th and 70th homers... In his best imitation of the Home Run King, Orlando came out of the dugout for his own curtain call to salute the crowd.
- COLOMBIAN CONNECTION: On July 3, the Marlins and Expos featured two Colombian players starting at the same position for the first time in Major League history... Cabrera is from Cartagena and Florida's Edgar Renteria is a native of Barranquilla.
1997
Cabrera climbed all the way up the latter and joined the Expos on September 2, 1997, becoming the first Colombian native to play for the Expos and just the fifth in the Majors... The others were Edgar Renteria of the Marlins, Jackie Gutierrez (1983-88, Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia), Orlando Ramirez (1974-79, California) and Luis Castro (1902, Philadelphia A's)... Made his Major League debut on September 3 following Mark Grudzielanek's ejection in the 3rd inning... Collected first ML hit on September 11 at New York off the Mets Rick Reed, while also driving in his first run... Stole his first base on September 15 at Pittsburgh and reached third on a throwing error by the catcher... Later scored the tying run... Made first Major League start (second base) on September 22 at Atlanta, going 2-for-5, two singles off Greg Maddux... Played for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League at season's end and batted .284 in 31 games... Considered the third-best prospect in the organization by
Baseball America behind Brad Fullmer and Carl Pavano and eighth overall in the Eastern League.
In just his second full season in the pro ranks in 1997, Orlando quickly ascended through three levels of Minor League ball before reaching the Majors in September... After an impressive Spring Training with the Expos, started the season at Class A West Palm Beach where he batted .276, scored 56 runs and stole 32 bases in 69 games in the Florida State League before graduating to AA Harrisburg on June 19 to replace the injured Hiram Bocachica... Batted .308 in the Eastern League, scoring 34 runs in 35 games... Selected Expos Player Development Player of the Month for June by virtue of his .373 batting average at WPB and his .417 clip at Harrisburg... Edged his way further north when he joined the AAA Ottawa Lynx on July 30... Batted .262 in 31 games in the International League... His total Minor League batting average for the season was .281 (150-for-534) with 107 runs scored, 37 doubles, six triples, 12 home runs and 60 RBI while also swiping 47 bases in 135 games... Led the organization in steals and finished 10th in the Minors in runs scored... Appeared in 127 games at shortstop, committing 28 errors in 501 chances (.944 fielding percentage) while committing no errors in 14 games at second base.
1996
Cabrera enjoyed tremendous success in his first full-scheduled season in 1996... Led the Class A Delmarva Shorebirds with 512 at-bats, 86 runs, 14 home runs, 207 total bases and 51 stolen bases... Ranked 2nd on the Club with 129 hits and 65 RBI and finished third with 28 doubles... Was ranked tied for eighth in all Minor League baseball and fourth in the South Atlantic League in stolen bases... Started 67 games at shortstop and 64 at second base... Went 3-for-4 with a double, HR, four RBI in a 7-0 win at Macon on May 10... Drove in 11 runs in five games from May 8-12 and was later named SAL Player of the Week... Was also named Expos Player Development Player of the Week from May 5-11... Knocked in 17 runs in 15 games from May 6-21, batting .346 in the process... Had a 29-game consecutive errorless streak snapped May 17... Was named SAL Player of the Month for May after batting .271 with five doubles, five home runs, 21 RBI and 14 stolen bases... Was named the starting second baseman in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game for the Northern Division... Was named to the Topps/NAPBL Class A All-Star Team at the conclusion of the season... Was also selected to
Baseball America's season-end All-Star team.
1995
In 1995 he played in his third different league in as many professional seasons...Was named NY-Penn League Player of the Week from August 28-September 3 with the Vermont Expos...Finished second in Vermont in batting (.282) and triples (5).
1994
Opened the 1994 season in extended Spring Training after spending his first Spring Training in North America...Joined the Gulf Coast League Club midway through the season and started on a tear by going 10-for-18, .556...Finished the season by appearing in 22 games with the Expos.
1993
Cabrera started his pro career in 1993 with the Expos entry in the Dominican Summer League...Batted .344 in 38 games, leading the Club in stolen bases.