Yankees’ new celebration feels like Oswaldo Cabrera tribute after Clarke Schmidt roster move

Baseball players can be an odd group at times. From bizarre pre-game rituals to over-the-top celebrations, things can get pretty weird on the diamond. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t meanings behind those idiosyncrasies. While Oswaldo Cabrera may no longer be a member of the New York Yankees, many people in the organization have not forgotten about him. This includes a couple of his former teammates who may have copied his signature celebration.

When the Yankees activated Clarke Schmidt from the IL on September 16, they needed to make a corresponding move to free up space on the 40-man roster. With playing opportunities becoming more and more scarce for Cabrera, he was designated for assignment. Just a few days later, he was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds. But deep down, it almost feels as if Cabrera will always be considered a Yankee in everyone’s minds.    

As first pointed out by Max Mannis of Jomboy Media, two players on the Yankees appeared to pay homage to Cabrera during the team’s 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on September 23. Mannis tweeted a clip of Ben Rice and George Lombard Jr. firing off a unique yet familiar celebration as they each rounded the bases following their home runs. 

Both players hit the crowd with a grenade toss celebration, something first popularized by Cabrera when he debuted with the Yankees in 2022. During the famous roll call at Yankee Stadium, the super utility player would uncork an imaginary grenade and pretend to lob it at the Bleacher Creatures in the stands. Was the grenade toss from Rice and Lombard Jr. just a way to say hello to Cabrera?

Oswaldo Cabrera made his time with the Yankees count

Rice and Lombard Jr. have yet to confirm the exact meaning behind their own grenade toss celebrations. However, it would make sense for them to do something small to let Cabrera know that they still appreciate him. Rice had been a teammate of Cabrera on the Yankees since 2024 and Lombard Jr. spent a few months as his teammate in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. 

Cabrera first joined the Yankees organization back in 2016 when he signed as a 17-year-old out of Venezuela. However, he was never able to really light up the minor league system with impressive stats until 2021, when he caught the Yankees’ attention with an .863 OPS in 118 games.    

The following season, he got his first taste of the majors and almost immediately became a fan favorite. Like with most things that Cabrera did, he always seemed to add his own brand of flair to spice it up a bit. This included his own way of acknowledging the fans at Yankee Stadium. 

Just like his time in the Yankees’ minor league system, Cabrera never wowed anyone with elite ability on the field in the big leagues either. With a career .232/.292/.343 slash line in five seasons for the Yankees, Cabrera was passable on the field. Yet the excitement he brought to the game made him extremely popular in the clubhouse and among fans.  

If the potential grenade toss tribute from Rice and Lombard Jr. was any indication, it appears that his popularity won’t be waning any time soon. 

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