« Reggievision: This Is A-Rod's Year | Main | 1:15 pm ET Today »

March 01, 2007

Tabata Learning From Abreu

From the Hartford Courant -

Jose Tabata was wide-eyed as it was - imagine an 18-year-old walking into the Yankees' locker room and pulling on a uniform.

Then he saw the name on the locker next door.

"I've been watching Bobby Abreu since I was a child," Tabata said through an interpreter. "I have always admired him, and I've always thought of trying to become the same kind of player he is. He is like an icon in Venezuela. I never dreamed I would be this close to him."

"He [Abreu] is a very quiet person, but he is very approachable," Tabata said. "He is very sincere. I try to talk to him every day. I want to pick his brain. I watch everything he does, but it's his words that have helped me the most. I've learned from him that it's important to be humble."

I would much rather see Tabata go the humble route than the Manny-road that he seemed to be traveling. Hopefully, Jose will keep what he learns this spring.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 1, 2007 10:13 AM

Comments

While I personally thought your criticism of Tabata's "attitude" was overblown at the time, I'm certainly happy to read that he's trying to learn from the vets on the big club. It's a sign of maturity when a young kid is willing to listen to guys that have been there before and can impart some wisdom and advice on the rookies just coming up.

And if Tabata picked Abreu as his idol, well, that's a pretty good guy to look up to. The Yanks would be well served if they got 10 years of .300-20-100-20 from him.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 1, 2007 10:26 AM

he Yanks would be well served if they got 10 years of .300-20-100-20 from him.
=======
It wouldn't hurt if they got Manny numbers out of him either...

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 1, 2007 11:08 PM