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Sports TwitterDragons release Cabrera in wake of brawl
Manager says second baseman's involvement in fight wasn't only incident.
Comment: What do you think of Angel Cabrera being released by the Dragons?
> Watch the brawl | Staff photos | Fan photos | More
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
DAYTON — Most of the Dragons were surprised to hear second baseman Angel Cabrera was released by the parent Reds on Monday, July 28, but at least one hinted at a possible reason.
"I heard about him before I came here," shortstop Zack Cozart said. "He's a guy if he's on our team, you love him. If he's not, you hate him.
"He plays hard. He plays, ah, rough."
To some, Cabrera is taking the most blame for last Thursday's bench-clearing brawl with Peoria (Ill.), during which Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo — apparently aiming for Cabrera — threw a ball into the stands, hitting a fan and creating a national story.
Cabrera did a little showboating following a walk-off Wednesday homer, trash-talked the Peoria bench after being hit with a pitch Thursday and slid spikes-high, breaking up a double play, just before the benches emptied.
Dragons manager Donnie Scott said that was only a big incident amid a season of incidents, which included elbowing the Peoria first baseman twice in a game at Peoria.
"This has been an ongoing issue," said Scott, who called Cabrera to Fifth Third Field before noon to give him the news. "He has some (playing) ability, but we just can't tolerate some of his on-field actions. He's been in here four times this year and we've talked to him about it, and he hangs his head and he says he understands, then he goes out and does it again."
Cabrera and others from Peoria and the Dragons are awaiting suspensions from Midwest League President George Spelius.
Cabrera's place on the roster goes to Jake Kahaulelio, who was briefly with the team earlier in the season and was hitting .262 with Sarasota of the Florida State League. Cabrera was hitting over .370 during the last three weeks.
"The only thing I know to do is play baseball," said the 22-year-old Cabrera while packing his equipment. "I play this game 100 percent. I don't think I play with a bad attitude."
Cabrera was born and grew up in New York City, played in junior college in Oklahoma and on Reds rookie teams the past two seasons.
In addition to everything else, Scott said he was unhappy with Cabrera for throwing his helmet in the dugout after an out Sunday. The helmet struck pitching coach Doug Bair on the leg.
It was enough for Scott to ask Reds director of development Terry Reynolds if he could release Cabrera. Reynolds said yes.
"We feel we have better prospects," Reynolds said. "We're releasing him because he's not a prospect."
Kevyn Feiner, who also plays second for the Dragons, said he was surprised because, "we're one family."
Outfielder Justin Reed said, "Sometimes you can't control things in life."
Scott said he tried.
"We were trying to help this kid with his conduct out there," Scott said. "It didn't work out. He's not a bad kid, but he needs to channel his aggression in a positive manner. It's not showmanship. It's sportsmanship."
Comments
By Cas
July 31, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
This is B.S Angel should not have been released..And to all of da people that think other wise..you could shuve it up your @$$..Angel plays hard and with passion
By Cas
July 31, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
This is B.S Angel should not have been released..And to all of da people that think other wise..you could shuve it up your @$$..Angel plays hard and with passion
By Rob
July 30, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
It’s not surprising a Peoria fan might not know what really took place. If you check out the Chief’s website (peoriachiefs.com) there is no mention of the pitcher throwing the ball at the dugout and hitting the fan or even the fact that he was arrested and charged. What a watered down account of what took place! I was there with my 13 yr old grandson. Even he knows it wasn’t a dirty slide.
By rjmsoasis
July 30, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Dear Peoriafan - I’m not defending Cabrera’s actions but didn’t your guy break his leg colliding with 2 of his teammates and not from a slide by Cabrera?
By Rob
July 30, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
I didn’t see anything dirty about the slide. No wonder the Reds are such losers. We’re breeding them at the minor league level to play sissyball. If we don’t want players who play hard, whether we consider them prospects or not, then Donnie Scott needs to get that number 14 off his back.
By Vickie
July 30, 2008 2:25 AM | Link to this
Correction to my first post, I dont know the name of any of the players, I now realize there were 2 incidents, One with a dragons player and the peoria, They both should be canned and then sent to lve with each other.
By Vickie
July 30, 2008 2:21 AM | Link to this
Thank goodness a player that conducts his self this way was finally let go. Alot more should suffer the same if they also act like this. the person in the stands could have been killed or suffer ed brain injury. To the person that thinks he should be cut a break, would you like to cut someone a break that did this to you or your child if killed. We all say why all the violence with our young people, well look who is in the public eye to teach them to injure and kill. CABERA TAKE RESPONSIBILTY
By Vickie
July 30, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
Thank goodness a player that conducts his self this way was finally let go. Alot more should suffer the same if they also act like this. the person in the stands could have been killed or suffer ed brain injury. To the person that thinks he should be cut a break, would you like to cut someone a break that did this to you or your child if killed. We all say why all the violence with our young people, well look who is in the public eye to teach them to injure and kill. CABERA TAKE RESPONSIBILTY
By Peoriafan
July 29, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
I am glad Cabrera is gone, you all in Dayton have to look at what he did not as a scapegoat for the team. He slid into second base spikes up breaking up not only a double play but also breaking the leg of our second baseman. So the punishment fits the crime. As for the Peoria pitcher, i truely hope the judge throws the big fat Dayton book at him. That throw was truely uncalled for.
By TATO/NYC
July 29, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
ANGEL HAD FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVE UP FROM NYC. 10 HOUR DRIVE. ARRIVED 2 HOURS BEFOREGAME TIME WEDNESDAY. HE HITS A WALK OFF HOMER IN FRONT OF FAMILY HE HAS NOT SEEN SINCE BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED. DON’T YOU THINK HE IS A HAPPY KID RUNNING AROUND THE BASESES? HE ALSO STOOD AFTER THE GAME SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AFTER THE GAME WHILE HIS FAMILY WAITED FOR HIM. HE IS A GOOD PERSON WHO LOVES THE GAME. PLAYS HARD LEAVES IT ALL ON THE FIELD. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PLAYERS DO WORST.GIVE THE KID A BREAK
By Car
July 29, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
What a huge injustice here. No way did Cabrera deserve to get released.
By jojo
July 29, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO ! The coaches should have been leaders that this young man could look up too. He got caught up in the excitement.
By Seriously
July 29, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
BS, BS, BS…excuses, excuses!!!!
By Another Fan
July 29, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
I have mixed feelings. If Cabrera had been counseled about his behavior & continued, then I guess he has noone to blame but himself. BUT, I think the quick release at this point is most likely the organization’s attempt to show some action taken for the brawl..scapegoat, probably. Also to Bill..Logan Parker’s move to Sarasota was a promotion! One that is deserved & I’m sure he’s been waiting on all season..we hate to see them go but they can’t put players careers on hold to make the fans happy!
By Roger
July 29, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
One word: SCAPEGOAT.
By Bill
July 29, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Angel is the scapegoat so that Reds management can go on feeling like they did the right thing. If you want to do the right thing, how about putting a competitive Dragon team on the field and LEAVE IT ALONE until they either do or don’t make the playoffs. Moving Logan Parker to Sarasota (attendance 1000) in lieu of keeping him in Dayton until the end of the season is just one more “I couldn”t care less about the Dayton fans” that the reds directors probably feel everyday.
By Dragons Fan
July 29, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
I attend nearly every home game and listen to almost all away games. Angel is no more aggressive in play than any other current or past Dragons’ players. The truth is in the games. He is merely being singled out so that the public can ‘feel better’ that someone has been punished. He did not start the fight (which I witnessed) nor did he throw any more punches than any other player. His release is a shame. He loves the game and the fans. Best of luck with a new team!
By sentinel
July 29, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I love the did they offer him counseling comment. He’s a big boy capable of making his own decisions and taking care of himself. If you keep screwing up in your job do you get offered counseling? Probably not. You get talked to, and if it keeps up, you get shown the door. He’s priveledged to be employed playing a game. Not all of us have that luxury, so if he screws up, kick him to the curb in exchange for someone who can act like a professional.
By Harry
July 29, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
The kid was doing what he has been taught! The same thing that is taught in the majors, break up the double play. This is one more reason for me to stop going to see professional player (someone who is paid to play). I will stick to highschool and college sports where the kids play for the love of the game and not their next paycheck. In fact, I think only the winning team should get paid in any professional sport and that would stop all the whinning and crying.
By Scott Travis
July 29, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
It seems to me that this young man is a victum of his own actions. obviously 4 instances before this brawl he was disiplined in some fashion. Don’t confuse the fact that the brawl was started by a coach not a player. although this young man was showboating he did not cause this brawl.
By Dan
July 29, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
The Dragon’s Manager made the right decision. This player was specifically told what NOT to do and he continued to do it…end of story. I am proud of the Dragon’s management for actually following through and enforcing their “sportsmanship” standards. I was at the brawl game and it was horrible, especially for the families with small children attending. The Dragons will continue to sell out their stadium as long as they do what they are doing here: releasing an out of control player.
By nyc
July 29, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
Mick, In my experience, most males are not MEN at 22yrs old, they are still learning and making mistakes like everyone in their 20s. I’m not trying to tolerate bad behavior but I do think that an employer (as big as the Reds) is under a certain obligation to offer assistance to it’s employees when they have the potential to be as asset to the company.
By Mick
July 29, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
Counseling, easy way out, etc., etc. - the number of people who are willing to tolerate and excuse childish bad behavior is appalling. And we wonder why our teens don’t obey. This man had plenty of chances, promised to do better, and then continued to engage in his childish behavior and get into trouble.
By nyc
July 29, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this
did they offer to send him for any counseling to help him rechannel his ‘agressive’ behavior? seems to me there is more to this story, Donnie Scott’s personal feelings seem to be in play here. Good Luck Angel!
By BigBoy
July 29, 2008 4:41 AM | Link to this
No man should be named Angel.
By Dick
July 28, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
WALKS WILL HAUNT - SO WILL THIS RELEASE
By RXRAD
July 28, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
HERE IS A CONSPIRACY THEORY FOR DRAGON FANS…DID YOU CHECK YOUR TICKET STUBS FROM THE INFAMOUS GAME LAST WEEK? IT SHOWS A YOUNG FAN STANDING OVER HEATER WITH BOXING GLOVES ON AFTER KNOCKING HIM OUT.
WAS THIS ALL PLANNED!!!
By Janet Warren
July 28, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
If the boss tells you to change your behavior FOUR times, you had better change it or you’re history.
By Lollipop10
July 28, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
I practically grew up in the old Crosley Field in Cincinnati…Cabrera’s disposition and attitude should not be tolerated in this family-oriented game at the very family-oriented 5/3 Field. I love the Dragons. A push and a shove is expression enough.
By Kyle
July 28, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Here we go…the Dragons and Reds look for the easy way out.
Last I checked, Julio Castillo hadn’t been released from the Cubs, Denis Phipps (who threw more punches than Cabrera) is still on the team, Mesoraco threw punches, he’s still on the team, you have bad attitudes every year, they’re not told to leave.
Cabrera was one of the nicest players on Dayton this year, it’s sad he has to be used as a scapegoat for the organization.
Donnie truly dropped the ball on this one.
By burrito055
July 28, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
Was Cabrera to blame? Or maybe just and easy way out for the Dragons and Scott?
By George
July 28, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
I saw the Wednesday home run and I didn’t see excessive jubilation when he ran the bases. Good d Luck with your next team, Angel!
By Susan
July 28, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Sorry to see Cabrera go because he seems to get the dragons up if they get passive. He always loved to wave to the girls and sign autographs. Good luck!
By Susan
July 28, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Sorry to see Cabrera go because he seems to get the dragons up if they get passive. He always loved to wave to the girls and sign autographs. Good luck!