sliding in the rain

i came across orlando cabrera's 2003 bowman card

recently, and was intrigued by it enough to develop a post about it.

cabrera has some great airborne cards that live in my collection, but i hadn't seen this one before. it's not a double play turn like the others, but at one time i collected play at the plate cards, too, and this would have fit right in there.

what struck me at first about the photo was the fact that cabrera seemed so far away from phillies catcher mike lieberthal. lieberthal looks to be right behind the plate while awaiting the throw, so cabrera must be aiming for the right-hand batter's box to swipe home with his hand. next, the fact that cabrera is airborne with both legs tucked underneath him looks odd. i would think that at this point, one of the legs would be at least partially extended to prepare for the slide. and then there is the background. there are a number of umbrellas deployed which makes things interesting.

it's been awhile since i've tried to identify the game based on a card, so let's have a go with this one. we can assume it's from 2002 because it's a 2003 card, and there is some "2002" text on the banner behind cabrera. we know it's in philly because cabrera is wearing the away grays and lieberthal has the home pinstripes on. it's a night game based on the lighting of the play and seating. on to baseball reference!

the expos visited philadelphia three times during the season, and cabrera was involved in plays at the plate (and, in fact, scored on each of the plays) where lieberthal was catching on june 1, july 5, july 7, and august 28. all were night games, and baseball reference notes the weather as "cloudy", "sunny", and "cloudy" for the first three contests. the fourth, however, includes record of a "drizzle". i think we have the winnner! on the play in question, cabrera scored on a brad wilkerson single, with wilkerson advancing to second on the throw home. i found some espn highlights from the game, but this play wasn't included. still, i think it's a match to the cardboard!

it snowed and sleeted here earlier in the week but should be all gone by the time the twins open at home next thursday. i hope, anyway.