For Everth Cabrera, MLB probe can't erase All-Star pride

Alejandro Zuniga Sacks | USA TODAY Sports

WASHINGTON – When Bruce Bochy had his say, Everth Cabrera was an All-Star.

Despite reported ties to the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic, the San Diego Padres shortstop was the lone player from his team selected to the National League All-Star team. Cabrera learned he'd made the NL squad after the Padres' 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals, and after dedicating the selection to his family, he didn't shy away from discussing the Biogenesis report.

"No baseball player or any athlete in any sport needs substances or anything bad to be what he can be," Cabrera said in a Spanish-language interview. "You need passion, time, sacrifice and focus on what you want."

Cabrera is one of four players who made the All-Star Game despite a reported link to the Biogenesis scandal, joining Oakland pitcher Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz and Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Baseball's investigation into the clinic that it suspects of distributing performance-enhancing drugs to players continues, and those implicated could face fines and suspensions.

Cruz and Peralta were elected as a result of American League player balloting. Bochy, the San Francisco Giants and NL manager, selected Cabrera, and Colon was picked by American League and Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

Like Cruz and Colon, Cabrera has denied involvement with the clinic, a position he vehemently repeated after Saturday's game.

"From my heart, I say 'no,' " Cabrera said of the reported link. "I use 'no' as motivation. When someone tries to block me, I keep going forward."

After leading the NL with 44 steals last year, Cabrera already has a league-best 31 this season. But for the first time in his five-year career, he has shined as a hitter as well. His .300 batting average is well above any previous performance and is rounded out by a .988 fielding percentage.

"Most deserving player on our team," Padres manager Bud Black said. "I know that the NL manager, who I spoke to, is excited to have Cabby on the team."

Cabrera recognizes why people might make a connection to performance-enhancing drugs, but he cited months of hard work alongside his increasing comfort with the Padres organization and an immense desire to represent his country at the All-Star Game as reasons for his increasing success.

"It's a lot of little things," he said. "That's what the fans don't see."

While the All-Star Game is still more than a week away, Cabrera admitted that he was already nervous. He joked that he would bring a Nicaraguan flag and wear it as he rounded the bases, but then became more serious as he discussed how little time ballplayers spend at their prime.

"You never know if it's going to be the last (All-Star Game) of your career," he said. "I don't want it to be my last time. Now it's a bigger responsibility."

The shortstop added that while the controversy of the Biogenesis report motivates him, it's something he thinks about every time he takes the field. And he continues to play with the specter of a possible suspension looming.

"If it happens," he said, "there's nothing I can do. They'll decide, but I'll keep doing my job. It's not going to bring down the authenticity of what I did."

But until Major League Baseball completes its investigation and possible punishments are imposed, Cabrera remains emotional and thankful for the fans who made Saturday one of the best days of his life.

"I feel happier than when I was called up to the big leagues," Cabrera said. "It's the reward of the work you do as a baseball player."