A slide, a scream, and a moment of silence. Oswaldo Cabrera lay motionless, clutching his ankle. As he was taken away on a stretcher, tears streamed down his face — not just from the physical pain, but from the worry: Will I ever come back?
A haunting injury — and promises amid the pain
On May 13, during a Yankees game against the Mariners, Oswaldo Cabrera — 26 — suffered a horrific injury while diving toward home plate. His foot was severely twisted, and later confirmed: a broken left ankle.
For many, it was just another unfortunate incident on the field. But for Cabrera — who had spent his youth pursuing baseball — it was the moment his life changed.
“I can’t describe the feeling I had when the doctors told me I needed surgery and would miss the rest of the season,” Cabrera wrote on Instagram after the surgery.
“But I know I’m not alone. I have my teammates, my fans, and God.”
Wedding in a medical boot: A wedding like no other
Just weeks after leaving the field on a stretcher, Cabrera appeared in a completely different setting: his own wedding. In a smart suit and a medical boot on his left foot, he smiled brightly next to his new wife.
“We’ve waited a long time for this day. I didn’t want an injury to get in the way of our happiness,” he shared.
“I limped down the aisle, but my heart will never be weak.”
The image of Cabrera helping his wife slow dance to music while his left leg was still in a cast brought tears to the online community. It was no longer a baseball story – it was a story of love, resilience, and faith.
Aaron Judge: “We’re proud of him”
Yankees captain Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe were among the first to visit Cabrera at the hospital after his injury. Judge shared:
“We didn’t come because we had to. We came because it was family.”
Cabrera said emotionally:
“I felt lost. But when they walked into the room, I knew I wasn’t alone.”
Since then, Cabrera has continued to share his recovery process, sleepless nights due to pain, and even photos of… ankle flexion exercises with tears rolling down. But instead of complaining, he chose to write a manifesto:
“Every day I practice is an affirmation: I will come back.”
The hashtag #IComeBackStronger quickly went viral on social media. Handwritten letters, signed Yankees No. 95 jerseys, and even drawings drawn by children were sent to the hospital where he was being treated.
Oswaldo Cabrera – More Than a Player
In a world of sports where numbers rule, Cabrera reminds everyone that it is the heart and the will that make legends.
When asked what keeps him going, Cabrera doesn’t say much. He just puts his hand on his chest, smiles and repeats the phrase that has brought millions to tears:
“I know I’m not alone.”