Melky Cabrera Explained
Melky Cabrera |
Position: | Outfielder |
Birth Date: | 11 August 1984 |
Birth Place: | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
Bats: | Switch |
Throws: | Left |
Debutleague: | MLB |
Debutdate: | July 7 |
Debutyear: | 2005 |
Debutteam: | New York Yankees |
Finalleague: | MLB |
Finaldate: | September 29 |
Finalyear: | 2019 |
Finalteam: | Pittsburgh Pirates |
Statleague: | MLB |
Stat1label: | Batting average |
Stat1value: | .285 |
Stat2label: | Home runs |
Stat2value: | 144 |
Stat3label: | Runs batted in |
Stat3value: | 854 |
Teams: |
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Awards: |
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Melky Cabrera Astacio (born August 11, 1984[1]), nicknamed "the Melkman", is a Dominican former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, and Pittsburgh Pirates. While primarily a left fielder throughout his career, Cabrera spent a significant amount of his playing time as a center fielder for the Royals and Yankees.
Cabrera signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent. He made his MLB debut for the Yankees in 2005. After playing as a fourth outfielder, the Yankees included him in a trade to the Braves after the 2009 season. Struggling with the Braves in 2010, he was released, and signed by the Royals in 2011. Cabrera had a strong year with the Royals, and was traded to the Giants for the 2012 season. In 2012, Cabrera made his first All-Star Game appearance, winning the All-Star Game MVP Award.
Early life
Melky Cabrera Astacio was born on August 11, 1984 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Professional career
Minor leagues
Cabrera was signed by the New York Yankees on November 14, 2001, at age 17, receiving a $175,000 signing bonus.[2] He played for the Staten Island Yankees in the Class A Short-Season New York–Penn League in 2003, batting .283 with 31 runs batted in (RBIs) in 67 games. In 2004, he was promoted to the Battle Creek Yankees of the Class A Midwest League, hitting .333 with 16 RBIs in 42 games.[2] He was promoted to the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, where he hit .288 with 51 RBIs in 85 games to finish the season.
New York Yankees (2005–2009)
2005 season
In 2005, Cabrera started off with the Trenton Thunder of the Double-A Eastern League, hitting .275 with 60 RBIs in 106 games. At the end of June, he was promoted to the Columbus Clippers of the Triple-A International League, where he hit .324 with three homers and 11 RBIs in nine games.[3] [4] On July 7, he made his major league debut in center field at Yankee Stadium against the Cleveland Indians.[5] He collected his first major league hit, a single, in his third at-bat that day.[6] The next day he went 2-for-3 against Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee, scoring his first major league run, but then went 0-for-his-next-13 and made costly miscues,[7] including one on July 15, 2005, against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, misplaying a Trot Nixon fly ball that resulted in an inside-the-park home run during a 17–1 defeat. He was sent down to Triple-A Columbus the next day for 17 games and then demoted again, back to Double-A Trenton to finish out the season.[8] Cabrera played in six Major Leagues games in 2005, batting .211.
2006 season
Cabrera saw a lot of time in spring training of 2006 with starting outfielders Johnny Damon and Bernie Williams playing in the World Baseball Classic. He impressed the Yankees by hitting .349 in 16 games, but was ultimately sent down to Triple-A Columbus at the start of the season.[9]
He started the season strongly at Triple-A Columbus, hitting .385 with four home runs and 24 RBIs in just 31 games before being called up on May 9, 2006, after left fielder Hideki Matsui broke his wrist and was on the disabled list until September 12, 2006. Cabrera replaced him in left field, and hit .318 in May with his first 10 career RBIs and two career stolen bases. On May 30, 2006, batting leadoff for only the second time in his career, he recorded his first career 4-hit game, going 4-for-6.[10] He slumped in June, but hit his first major league home run on June 15.[11] On June 6, 2006, in the eighth inning of a 2–1 game against the Red Sox, he made an outstanding catch in left-center, leaping over the wall to take a home run away from Boston slugger Manny Ramírez.[12] This play earned Cabrera a "This Year In Baseball" award (voted on by the fans) for the outstanding play of the 2006 season.[13]
Cabrera heated up again in July, hitting .313 with 14 RBIs. He had his first career five-RBI game on July 5, with his first career grand slam.[14] On the 18th, he hit his first career walk-off home run.[15] At 22, he was the second youngest Yankee ever to hit a walk-off home run, to the 21-year-old Mickey Mantle in 1953.[16] He finished the 2006 season tied for second in the league with 12 outfield assists.[17] In 130 games, Cabrera batted .280 with seven home runs and 50 RBI. After the 2006 season, he played for Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM).
2007 season
Cabrera was slotted as fourth outfielder at the beginning of the 2007 season. He struggled, batting only .200 in April and .254 in May with limited playing time. He was batting .223 on the season when Jason Giambi went on the disabled list on June 1, 2007, giving him more playing time as Damon assumed Giambi's role of designated hitter and Cabrera took over center field from Damon. After this, he hit .320 with three of his five home runs and 21 of his 36 RBIs. He also had a 13-game hitting streak from July 1 to 17. While Bobby Abreu was struggling that month, Cabrera hit second to enable Derek Jeter to hit third and cemented himself as the Yankees' starting center fielder, causing Giambi to compete with Damon for DH at-bats after returning from the DL. Cabrera had a career-high hitting streak of 19 games, while continued to get his share of walks. Prior to the July 31 trade deadline, the Texas Rangers offered Yankee GM Brian Cashman their closer, Éric Gagné, in exchange for Cabrera, but Cashman declined[18] and Cabrera went on to tie for third in outfield assists (16) for the season.[17] In 150 games to finish 2007, Cabrera batted .273 with eight home runs and 73 RBI.
2008 season
Cabrera was involved in a bench-clearing brawl against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 2008 spring training game. MLB claimed to have seen video showing Cabrera punching superstar Tampa third baseman Evan Longoria during the brawl, and suspended him for two games along with teammate Shelley Duncan. Third base coach Bobby Meacham and hitting coach Kevin Long were also fined an undisclosed amount for their actions in the brawl.[19]
Cabrera was a less-than-adequate hitter for the Yankees in 2008. His fielding and strong throwing arm in center field could not make up for his poor batting average. In early August, Yankee manager Joe Girardi demoted him to fourth outfielder, making Damon the everyday center fielder again. On August 15, 2008, Cabrera was demoted to Triple-A's Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees,[20] but recalled him on September 5. Playing 129 games in 2008, Cabrera finished with a .249 batting average, eight home runs, and 37 RBI. After the 2008 season, he played for Cibaeñas of the LIDOM.
2009 season
After the 2008 season, the Yankees came close to trading Cabrera to the Milwaukee Brewers for veteran outfielder, Mike Cameron.[21] Remaining with the Yankees, Cabrera competed with Brett Gardner for the starting center field job[22] which Gardner won, relegating Cabrera to a backup role by manager Girardi once again.[23] On April 22, however, Cabrera hit the first walk-off hit in the new Yankee Stadium, a two-run homer in the bottom of the 14th, for a 9–7 Yankee win.[24] By late April, with Gardner slumping and Cabrera's streak of stellar play, Cabrera once again became the starting center fielder.[25] He won the Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Month of May.[26]
On August 2, 2009, he became the first Yankee to hit for the cycle since Tony Fernández did on September 3, 1995.[27] The home run was his 10th of the season, a new personal high.[28] He would finish the season with a .274 batting average, thirteen home runs, and 68 RBI in 154 games. The Yankees finished the year with a 103–59 record and eventually won the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies, giving Cabrera his first championship title and the Yankees their 27th title overall.
Atlanta Braves (2010)
On December 22, 2009, the Yankees traded Cabrera to the Atlanta Braves with Mike Dunn and pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino for Javier Vázquez and Boone Logan,[29] with whom he signed a one-year deal worth $3.1 million with the Braves, avoiding arbitration.[30]
Cabrera hit .255 with four home runs and 42 RBIs in 115 games for the 2010 Braves, and went 0-for-8 in the 2010 NLDS against the San Francisco Giants, who won the series three games to one.[31] He batted eighth for the Braves and was described as "pudgy" and not diligent enough about his career to keep his weight down.[32] The Braves released him on October 19.[33]
Kansas City Royals (2011)
On December 9, 2010, Cabrera signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Kansas City Royals,[34] eager for an opportunity to start consistently and hit in the middle of the lineup.
In his 2011 breakout season, he set career highs in RBIs (87), runs scored (102), stolen bases (20), home runs (18) and batting average (.305), while finishing fourth in the American League in hits with 201 and becoming the sixth Royal to record at least 200 hits in a season.[35]
San Francisco Giants (2012)
On November 7, 2011, the Royals traded Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants for Jonathan Sánchez and minor league pitcher Ryan Verdugo,[36] seeking to bolster their starting rotation and free up center field for Lorenzo Cain.[37]
Cabrera started 2012 with a .275 career average, but on May 29 he surpassed Willie Mays for most hits in the month of May in San Francisco Giants history with 50.[38] The next night, he tied Randy Winn's San Francisco record for most hits in any month with 51.[39]
His hot hitting earned him one of the three starting outfielder positions for the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Kansas City with 7,521,784 votes, the highest number received by a National League (NL) outfielder that year.[40] He singled in the first and hit a two-run homer in the fourth (the only round-tripper of the game) and was voted the All-Star Game MVP in the NL's 8–0 shutout win, going 2-for-3 with the two RBIs.[41] He was the fifth Giant player to be honored as All-Star Game MVP.[42]
On August 15, 2012, Cabrera was suspended for 50 games without pay for testing positive for high levels of testosterone, suggesting usage of MLB-proscribed performance-enhancing drugs. He admitted using a banned substance and was forced to accept the suspension. The suspension was effective immediately, meaning that Cabrera would take no further part for the remainder of the 2012 season. The suspension would also rule him out to start the 2013 season or if the Giants play enough games in the postseason (if the team clinched).[43] Prior to his suspension, he led the majors with 159 hits and was second in the NL with a .346 batting average. He ended his suspension-shortened season with 11 home runs, 10 triples, 60 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 18 opportunities.[44] [45] One of Cabrera's associates purchased a website for $10,000 and falsified its contents in a way that would have allowed Cabrera to challenge his suspension by claiming that the positive test was caused by a substance sold through that website, but MLB officials and federal investigators used forensics to trace the website back to Cabrera.[46] [47] [48] At his own request, Cabrera was ruled ineligible to win the 2012 NL batting title.[49]
As the Giants clinched a postseason berth, Cabrera's suspension officially expired during the 2012 National League Championship Series. Although the suspension expired, the team decided to shut down Cabrera for the remainder of the postseason and revert him to the restricted list. The Giants would then go on to win the 2012 World Series over the Detroit Tigers. Despite his suspension, Cabrera received a 2012 World Series ring for his contributions to the team before his suspension.[50]
Toronto Blue Jays (2013–2014)
2013 season
Cabrera signed a two-year contract for $16 million with the Toronto Blue Jays on November 19, 2012.[51] [52] In a game against the Detroit Tigers on April 9, 2013, Cabrera recorded his 1,000th career hit, a single off starter Aníbal Sánchez.[53] Cabrera battled a sore hamstring and quadriceps muscle through the first two months of the regular season, but the injuries did not warrant time on the disabled list.[54] Cabrera was occasionally removed from games in the later innings to rest his legs.
In early June, it was reported that Major League Baseball would be pursuing suspensions for players implicated in the Biogenesis scandal, including Cabrera.[55] Cabrera could have faced supplemental discipline regardless of the fact that he served a 50-game suspension at the end of the 2012 regular season, as MLB planned to further suspend players involved in the scandal for trying to cover their use of banned substances by using pseudonyms to purchase Biogenesis products[56] or for falsely denying any involvement whatsoever.[57] Cabrera responded to the speculation about a second suspension, saying "If they suspend me again, I think that would be a harsh punishment because I already served my sentence. But it's up to them. I believe I've already served my sentence, especially missing the playoffs. That's what hurt me the most."[58]
Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 27 due to left knee tendinitis. Fan and player favorite Munenori Kawasaki was called up to take Cabrera's roster spot.[59] Cabrera returned from the disabled list on July 21 and played in 10 games before going back on the 15-day DL with irritation in his left knee. Neil Wagner was recalled to take Cabrera's roster spot.[60]
On August 5, 2013, Cabrera was among several implicated players not suspended following the resolution of the Biogenesis investigation.[61] [62] It was reported on August 8 that Cabrera would be out of the lineup until at least September for a left knee injury.[63] Manager John Gibbons told reporters on August 22 that Cabrera would not play for the rest of the season.[64] On September 7, Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters that Cabrera had undergone a successful surgery to remove a benign tumor from his lower spine on August 30, and that a full recovery was expected.[65] Shortened to 88 games in 2013, Cabrera batted .279 with three home runs and 30 RBI.
2014 season
Having recovered from his offseason surgery, Cabrera played fully in 2014 spring training, and led the majors in hits and doubles during the spring with 30[66] and 10 respectively.[67] He hit his only home run in the final game of spring training, a two-run shot to help the Blue Jays win 2–0 over the New York Mets on March 29 in Montreal.[68] On April 4, 2014, Cabrera became the first MLB player to bat against Masahiro Tanaka, and hit a lead-off solo home run off of him.[69] He would go on to record a four-game home run streak, besting his total of home runs from the previous season (3 in 88 games played).[70] Cabrera broke a Blue Jays team record on April 13, by hitting in his 13th consecutive game to open the season.[71] He would continue his hot hitting to open the season, setting another new Blue Jays franchise record for hits prior to May 1, when he recorded his 40th hit in a game against the Kansas City Royals on April 29.[72] On May 1, he and teammate Mark Buehrle were named the co-winners of the Honda Player of the Month Award for April.[73] Cabrera recorded his 500th career RBI on July 26, 2014, to aid the Blue Jays in breaking their 17-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium. On August 10, Cabrera drew a team-record five walks in a 6–5 win over the Detroit Tigers in 19 innings; the longest game in franchise history. He also became the first player to reach base eight times in one game (the aforementioned five walks along with three hits) since Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew did so in 1972.[74]
In a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 5, Cabrera was injured while diving back to first base in the third inning and left the game.[75] He remained in the game but came out during his next at-bat in the sixth inning and was taken for x-rays, where it was determined that he had broken his right little finger and would require surgery,[75] ending his 2014 season.[76] At the time of his injury, he had 171 hits, second in the league to José Altuve, and had a .301 batting average. Coming to the end of his two-year contract with the Blue Jays, Cabrera expressed a desire to re-sign with Toronto.[77] On November 1,[78] the Blue Jays extended a qualifying offer to Cabrera for $15.3 million, which he later rejected.[79]
Chicago White Sox (2015–2017)
After the 2014 season, Cabrera signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.[76] [80] [81] In his first season with the White Sox in 2015, Cabrera played 158 games batting .273 with 36 doubles, 12 home runs, and 77 RBIs.[82] In his second season with the White Sox in 2016, Cabrera played 151 games batting .296 with 14 home runs.[83] In his third year with the White Sox before being traded to the Kansas City Royals, Cabrera batted .295 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 98 games.[84]
Return to Kansas City (2017)
The White Sox traded Cabrera to the Royals for A. J. Puckett and Andre Davis on July 30, 2017.[85]
Cleveland Indians (2018)
On April 25, 2018, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.[86] [87] On May 20, he was called up by the Indians.[88] [89] Cabrera was designated for assignment on June 14,[90] cleared waivers on June 18, and elected free agency.[91] He re-signed a minor league contract with the Indians on July 5, 2018.[92] The Indians purchased Cabrera's contract for a second time on July 20, 2018. He elected free agency on October 29, 2018.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2019)
On February 10, 2019, Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates that included an invitation to spring training.[93] On March 23, the Pirates announced that Cabrera had made the opening day roster.[94]
In 2019, he batted .280/.313/.399. He had the slowest sprint speed of all National League right fielders, at 25.9 feet/second.[95] He had the worst jump of all major league outfielders (-4.9 feet vs. average).[96]
New York Mets
On June 29, 2020, the New York Mets signed Cabrera.[97] He was released on July 22.[98] After the 2020 season, he played for Águilas Cibaeñas of the LIDOM. He has also played for Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series.
On January 14, 2022, Cabrera announced his retirement.[99]
Personal life
In the offseason, Cabrera lives in Tampa.[100] Cabrera and Robinson Canó became close friends as teammates in the minor leagues.[101] Cabrera has four daughters, two of them with his wife Johana Cabrera and two older ones who reside with their mothers.[102] His nickname around the Yankee clubhouse was "Leche" which is Spanish for "milk."[103]
Cabrera is involved in charity work in his native Dominican Republic.[104]
Honors and awards
- Futures Game selection (2005)
- Play of the Year (GIBBY awards) (2006)
- 2009 World Series champion
- 2012 MLB All-Star
- 2012 MLB All-Star Game MVP
See also
References
Citations
Notes and References
- Web site: Melky Cabrera . . 27 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220927064528/https://www.mlb.com/player/melky-cabrera-466320 . 27 September 2022.
- News: McCarron. Anthony. August 22, 2004. Yanks look to travel Melky way. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 11, 2012.
- News: Madden. Bill. July 3, 2005. Yankees Going Melky Way. Cabrera On Center Stage In Bombers' Future Plan. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 11, 2012.
- Web site: July 8, 2005. Cabrera makes history as latest center fielder. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085625/http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050708/SPORTS/307089964. September 24, 2015. July 11, 2012. Times Herald-Record. Local Media Group. Middletown, New York. Associated Press.
- News: Feinsand. Mark. July 7, 2005. Yankees promote prospect Cabrera. New York Yankees. MLB.com. live. October 11, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20071017051815/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050707&content_id=1119661&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. October 17, 2007.
- Web site: Feinsand. Mark. July 7, 2005. Yanks ride long balls to victory. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20071017045904/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20050707&content_id=1119870&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. October 17, 2007. October 11, 2010. New York Yankees. MLB.com.
- News: Everson. Darren. July 10, 2005. Melky Muff Costs Yanks Bad Day For Rookie. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 11, 2012.
- News: Borden. Sam. August 5, 2005. Carl Set To Return Tuesday. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 11, 2012.
- News: Kepner. Tyler. Another Chance for Yanks' Cabrera, Another Error in Field. September 20, 2015. New York Times. New York City. May 10, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112002459/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/sports/baseball/10pins.html. January 12, 2016. bot: unknown.
- News: Mark. Feinsand. Yanks beat Tigers in extras. Newyork.yankees.mlb.com. May 30, 2006. October 11, 2010.
- News: Mink. Ryan. June 15, 2006. A-Rod, Yankees fall short in finale. New York Yankees. MLB.com. live. October 11, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20060701194542/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20060615&content_id=1507024&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. July 1, 2006.
- Web site: Feinsand. Mark. June 7, 2006. Yankees walk to win over Sox. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20071017045918/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20060606&content_id=1491533&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. October 17, 2007. October 11, 2010. New York Yankees. MLB.com.
- Web site: 2006 This Year in Baseball Awards. July 11, 2012. MLB.com.
- Web site: Feinsand. Mark. July 5, 2006. Cabrera helps Yanks pay back Tribe. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20060719053625/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060705&content_id=1541253&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. July 19, 2006. October 11, 2010. New York Yankees. MLB.com.
- Web site: Mink. Ryan. July 18, 2006. Cabrera's long ball sinks Mariners. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20071017045929/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20060718&content_id=1563500&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. October 17, 2007. October 11, 2010. New York Yankees. MLB.com.
- Web site: Yankee All Time Walk Off Home Runs. July 5, 2012. YankeeNumbers.com.
- Web site: Baseball Reference: Melky Cabrera. Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. United States. July 11, 2012.
- Web site: Hoch. Bryan. August 9, 2007. Cabrera maturing nicely for Yanks. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20071017045939/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070809&content_id=2139321&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. October 17, 2007. October 11, 2010. New York Yankees. MLB.com.
- News: Kepner. Tyler. April 5, 2008. Two Yankees Have Suspensions Reduced. en-US. The New York Times. October 23, 2021. 0362-4331.
- News: Rubin. Roger. August 16, 2008. Major change in Robinson Cano after Melky Cabrera was sent down. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 11, 2012.
- Web site: Graziano. Dan. December 11, 2008. Yankees-Brewers trade in peril over money, hurt feelings. July 11, 2012. NJ.com.
- News: Feinsand. Mark. March 20, 2009. Melky Cabrera is gaining on Brett Gardner for start in center field. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 11, 2012.
- News: Brett Gardner wins starting center field job with Yanks. September 20, 2015. Staten Island Advance. Advance Publications. Staten Island, New York City. March 30, 2009.
- Web site: Hoch. Bryan. April 22, 2009. Melky's homer gives Yanks walk-off win. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20090426143525/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090422&content_id=4377702&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. April 26, 2009. October 23, 2021. New York Yankees. MLB.com.
- Web site: Hoch. Bryan. April 29, 2009. With Gardner slumping, Melky starts. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20090503083139/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090429&content_id=4480826&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. May 3, 2009. October 11, 2010. New York Yankees. MLB.com.
- Web site: Hoch. Bryan. June 8, 2009. Melky wins May's Pepsi Clutch Performer. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110606130348/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090608&content_id=5206662&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. June 6, 2011. October 11, 2010. MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media.
- News: Hoch. Bryan. August 2, 2009. Melky hits for cycle in Chicago. MLB.com. live. September 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150906150008/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/6208186/. September 6, 2015.
- Web site: Yankees vs. White Sox - Game Recap - August 2, 2009 - ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20211113210004/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/290802104. dead. November 13, 2021.
- Web site: December 22, 2009. Yankees acquire pitcher Javier Vazquez from Braves for Melky Cabera, Prospects. December 22, 2009. ESPN. ESPN Inc.. United States.
- Web site: Rojas. Enrique. January 14, 2010. Atlanta Braves, Melky Cabrera avoid arbitration. July 11, 2012. ESPN. ESPN Deportes.
- Web site: December 10, 2010. Kansas City Royals, OF Melky Cabrera agree to contract. July 11, 2012. ESPN. Associated Press.
- News: Madden. Bill. Melky Cabrera tests positive for testosterone and he is just latest MLB star to be tainted. September 20, 2015. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. August 16, 2012.
- News: October 19, 2010. Braves release Melky Cabrera. ESPN. ESPN Inc.. United States. September 20, 2015.
- News: December 9, 2010. Royals sign Melky Cabrera: report. CBC News. Associated Press. Toronto. December 9, 2010.
- Web site: Dutton. Bob. September 26, 2011. Kevin Seitzer welcomes Melky Cabrera to 200-hit club. dead. https://archive.today/20120128084924/http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/26/3168817/kevin-seitzer-welcomes-melky-cabrera.html. January 28, 2012. July 11, 2012. The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. Kansas City, Missouri.
- Web site: Haft. Chris. November 7, 2011. Giants land Melky by sending Sanchez to KC. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20111108184131/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111107&content_id=25927312&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb. November 8, 2011. May 30, 2012. MLB.com. Major League Baseball. United States.
- News: November 7, 2011. Royals send Cabrera to Giants for Sanchez. CBC News. CBC. Toronto. July 11, 2012.
- News: Dubow. Josh. May 30, 2012. Cabrera leads Giants past Diamondbacks 3-1. Boston.com. Associated Press. October 23, 2021.
- Web site: May 31, 2012. Ian Kennedy keys Diamondbacks vs. Tim Lincecum, Giants. https://web.archive.org/web/20211024003305/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320530126. dead. October 24, 2021. October 23, 2021. ESPN. Associated Press. United States.
- Web site: July 1, 2012. 2012 All-Star Game starters announced. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120703211833/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120701&content_id=34266298&vkey=pr_mlb&c_id=mlb. July 3, 2012. July 3, 2012. MLB.com. Major League Baseball. United States.
- News: Skretta. Dave. July 10, 2012. Triple the fun as NL leads 8–0 in All-Star Game. Yahoo Sports. Oath Inc.. United States. July 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120715012525/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/verlander-rocked-nl-races-5-012815940--mlb.html. dead. July 15, 2012.
- Web site: Melky delivers, earns All-Star MVP honors. July 11, 2012. MLB.com. Major League Baseball. United States. July 11, 2012.
- News: Giants' Cabrera suspended for positive drug test. McCauley. Janie. August 15, 2012. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Tronc, Inc.. San Diego. May 30, 2018.
- News: Lacques. Gabe. August 15, 2012. Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games for testosterone. USA Today. live. August 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120815223544/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/08/melky-cabrera-giants-50-game-suspension-testosterone/1. August 15, 2012.
- News: August 15, 2012. Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games. ESPN.com. ESPN Inc.. United States. live. August 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120816020630/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8271981/melky-cabrera-san-francisco-giants-suspended-50-games. August 16, 2012.
- News: August 19, 2012. Report: Giants' Cabrera Tried to Use Fake Website to Avoid Suspension. KNSD. NBCUniversal. San Diego. May 30, 2018.
- News: Melky Cabrera's fake website, false innocence make him look worse than guilty. Kawakami. Tim. August 19, 2012. Daily Democrat. Digital First Media. Woodland, California. August 20, 2012.
- News: Daily News uncovers bizarre plot by San Francisco Giants' Melky Cabrera to use fake website and duck drug suspension. Thompson. Teri. Madden. Bill. Red. Christian. O'Keeffe. Michael. Vinton. Nathaniel. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. August 19, 2012. August 20, 2012.
- News: Baggarly. Andrew. Melky Cabrera ruled ineligible to win batting crown. NBC Sports. NBC Sports Group. United States. September 21, 2012. May 30, 2018.
- Web site: February 15, 2013. No karma in baseball: Jays' Melky Cabrera will get his ring, dodge hard justice for cheating. February 16, 2013. Yahoo Sports. Oath Inc.. United States.
- Web site: November 19, 2012. Blue Jays sign Melky Cabrera to two-year, $16 million deal. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121127174431/https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=409887. November 27, 2012. November 19, 2012. TSN. Bell Media and ESPN Inc.. Scarborough, Toronto.
- Web site: Left-fielder Melky Cabrera officially signs with Toronto Blue Jays. Yahoo Sports. Oath Inc.. United States. November 19, 2012. November 19, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123160329/http://ca.news.yahoo.com/left-fielder-melky-cabrera-officially-signs-toronto-blue-023310220--mlb.html. January 23, 2013.
- Web site: April 9, 2013. Miguel Cabrera hits first HR of season as Tigers top Blue Jays. October 23, 2021. ESPN. Associated Press. en.
- News: Jays' Melky Cabrera has hamstring, quad irritation. CBC News. CBC. Toronto. May 15, 2013. June 7, 2013.
- News: Fidlin. Ken. June 4, 2013. Blue Jays' Cabrera, others, under drug scrutiny: Report. Toronto Sun. June 17, 2017.
- March 22, 2013. Major League Baseball sues Biogenesis clinic. Sports Illustrated. Meredith Corporation. New York City. live. June 4, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130526014234/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130322/mlb-sues-biogenesis.ap/. May 26, 2013.
- Web site: Macramalla. Eric. June 6, 2013. Legal Look: Breaking down the Biogenesis case. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130608225142/https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=424910. June 8, 2013. June 7, 2013. TSN. Bell Media and ESPN Inc.. Scarborough, Toronto.
- Web site: Hagen. Paul. June 4, 2013. MLB eyes penalties for players linked to clinic. June 5, 2013. MLB.com. Major League Baseball. United States.
- Web site: Snyder. Matt. June 28, 2013. Melky Cabrera hits disabled list due to knee tendinitis. June 29, 2013. CBS Sports. CBS Interactive. United States.
- Web site: Chisholm. Gregor. August 2, 2013. Melky lands on disabled list. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055655/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130801&content_id=55551876¬ebook_id=55567002&vkey=notebook_tor&c_id=tor. October 23, 2013. August 2, 2013. Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. United States.
- News: Chisholm. Gregor. August 5, 2013. No further suspension for Cabrera in Biogenesis case. MLB.com. September 20, 2015.
- News: Gio Gonzalez won't be suspended in Biogenesis investigation (Updated). The Washington Post. WP Company and Nash Holdings. Washington, D.C.. August 5, 2013. James. Wagner. May 31, 2018.
- Web site: Chisholm. Gregor. August 9, 2013. Cabrera likely out until September. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20131023173721/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130809&content_id=56434912¬ebook_id=56434390&vkey=notebook_tor&c_id=tor. October 23, 2013. August 9, 2013. Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. United States.
- Web site: MacArthur. Scott. August 22, 2013. MacArthur: Morrow out for season; Cabrera unlikely to return. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130827194749/https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=430268. August 27, 2013. August 22, 2013. The Sports Network. Bell Media and ESPN Inc.. Scarborough, Toronto.
- Web site: September 7, 2013. Jays' Cabrera had tumour removed from spine. September 7, 2013. Sportsnet. Rogers Media. Toronto.
- Web site: Melky 'feeling great' after painful season. Zwelling. Arden. Sportsnet. Rogers Media. Toronto. April 5, 2014. April 6, 2014.
- Web site: 2014 Major League Baseball Spring Training. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215232720/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2014-spring-training-batting.shtml. December 15, 2014. March 29, 2014. Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. United States.
- Web site: Morrow sparkles as Jays top Mets in Montreal. Sportsnet. Rogers Media. Toronto. March 29, 2014. March 29, 2014.
- Web site: Tanaka gives up HR to Cabrera in 1st inning. Sportsnet. Rogers Media. Toronto. April 4, 2014. April 4, 2014.
- Web site: Melky homers again to lift solid Buehrle. Chisholm. Gregor. MLB.com. Major League Baseball. United States. April 8, 2014. April 8, 2014.
- Web site: Ginsburg. David. April 14, 2014. Buehrle, Blue Jays cruise to 11–3 win over Orioles. April 14, 2014. Global News. Associated Press.
- Web site: Franzoni. Kyle. April 29, 2014. Melky Cabrera sets Blue Jays hit record for April, but bullpen melts down in Jays loss. April 30, 2014. Jays Journal. FanSided.
- Web site: May 1, 2014. Mark Buehrle & Melky Cabrera named Honda Co-Player Of The Month. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140502090434/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140501&content_id=73968734&c_id=tor&vkey=pr_tor. May 2, 2014. May 1, 2014. Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. United States.
- Web site: Kern. Doug. August 10, 2014. Kernels: Reviewing the marathons. August 10, 2014. ESPN. ESPN Inc.. United States.
- News: September 5, 2014. Cabrera to have surgery, miss rest of season. Sportsnet. Rogers Media. Toronto. September 5, 2014.
- News: Melky Cabrera leaving the Blue Jays for the White Sox. December 15, 2014. Toronto Star. Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd.. Toronto. December 14, 2014.
- Web site: Melky Cabrera expresses desire to re-sign with Blue Jays. Fehr. Israel. Yahoo Sports. Oath Inc.. United States. September 7, 2014. September 8, 2014.
- Web site: Blue Jays extend qualifying offer to Cabrera. Galindo. Peter. Sportsnet. Rogers Media. Toronto. November 1, 2014. November 1, 2014.
- News: November 10, 2014. Toronto Blue Jays' Melky Cabrera declines qualifying offer, will test free agency. National Post. dead. December 15, 2014. https://archive.today/20141213195731/http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/11/10/cabrera-among-12-free-agents-to-decline-15-3-million-qualifying-offer/. December 13, 2014.
- News: Padilla. Doug. December 14, 2014. White Sox add Melky Cabrera. ESPN. ESPN Inc.. United States. December 14, 2014.
- News: Sullivan. Paul. Melky Cabrera deal official: $42 million from White Sox over 3 years. December 16, 2014. Chicago Tribune. Tronc, Inc.. Chicago. December 15, 2014.
- News: White Sox position-by-position analysis: Outfield. Colleen. Kane. Chicago Tribune. Tronc, Inc.. Chicago. November 11, 2015. April 25, 2018.
- News: Ekram. Labeeb. December 31, 2016. White Sox: The Making Of a Potential Melky Cabrera Trade. Fox Sports. Fox Entertainment Group (21st Century Fox). United States. April 26, 2018.
- News: July 30, 2017. Royals get Melky Cabrera from White Sox for two prospects. ESPN.com. ESPN Inc.. United States. April 26, 2018.
- Royals. Kansas City Royals. 891707564773257217. July 30, 2017. We have acquired OF Melky Cabrera from the White Sox, in exchange for minor league pitchers AJ Puckett and Andre Davis. #Royals.
- News: April 25, 2018. New Indians OF Melky Cabrera heads to extended spring training. ESPN. ESPN Inc.. United States. April 25, 2018.
- News: Noga. Joe. April 25, 2018. Cleveland Indians make it official, sign Melky Cabrera to minor-league deal. Cleveland.com. Advance Publications (Newhouse Newspapers). Cleveland. April 25, 2018.
- News: May 20, 2018. Indians call up veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera. ESPN. ESPN Inc.. United States. May 20, 2018.
- Web site: Tribe calls up veteran outfielder Cabrera; Righty reliever Marshall optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Alyson. Footer. MLB.com. Major League Baseball. United States. May 20, 2018. May 21, 2018.
- Web site: Gelman. Max. June 14, 2018. Indians designate Melky for assignment. June 14, 2018. Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. United States.
- News: June 18, 2018. Melky Cabrera: Heads to free agency. CBS Sports. CBS. New York City. June 18, 2018.
- News: Hoynes. Paul. July 5, 2018. Cleveland Indians re-sign Melky Cabrera to minor-league deal; he'll report to Class AAA Columbus. Cleveland.com. July 5, 2018.
- Web site: Byrne. Connor. February 10, 2019. Pirates To Sign Melky Cabrera. February 10, 2019. MLB Trade Rumors.
- Web site: Polishuk. Mark. March 23, 2019. Pirates To Add Francisco Liriano, Melky Cabrera To Opening Day Roster. March 23, 2019. MLB Trade Rumors.
- Web site: Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard. October 9, 2019. Baseball Savant.
- Web site: Statcast Outfielder Jump Leaderboard. October 9, 2019. Baseball Savant.
- Web site: Goldberg. Rob. June 29, 2020. Melky Cabrera Signs Mets Contract; Won World Series with Yankees in 2009. June 29, 2020. Bleacher Report.
- Web site: Adams. Steve. July 22, 2020. Mets Release Melky Cabrera, Gordon Beckham. July 23, 2020. MLB Trade Rumors.
- Web site: Adams. Steve. January 14, 2022. Melky Cabrera Announces Retirement. January 14, 2022. MLB Trade Rumors.
- Web site: Kaegel. Dick. December 16, 2010. Melky warm to idea of playing in chilly KC. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112002458/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20101216&content_id=16334668&c_id=mlb. January 12, 2016. July 11, 2012. MLB.com. Major League Baseball. United States.
- News: Brennan. Sean. June 9, 2006. Cano Shows Melky Way. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 11, 2012.
- News: How ex-Yankee Melky Cabrera has done a body good & turned around his career with San Francisco Giants. Red. Christian. New York Daily News. Tronc, Inc.. New York City. July 8, 2012. April 29, 2014.
- Web site: Bryant. Howard. E-ticket: King of Gotham?. October 11, 2010. ESPN. ESPN Inc.. United States.
- Web site: Melky Cabrera hace realidad sueño. Rolando. Glove. El Nacional. C.A. Editorial El Nacional. Caracas. December 14, 2009. July 11, 2012. es.