About Last Night: José Caballero has earned his moment

There are two distinct paths that unheralded prospects can take when given a shot at regular playing time on the big stage. They can go the one minute and fifty-nine second “You Can Do Better Than Me” route, contribute moderately to the best of their abilities, and quietly fade away. Or, they take the eight minute and twenty-five second “I Will Possess Your Heart” path, exceed expectations, and make a memorable impact in the hearts and minds of a team’s fanbase, and possibly the baseball world at large. The Panamanian-born José Caballero’s introduction to the Seattle Mariners and their fans has been much like the more than four minute long build-up in the latter Death Cab For Cutie song; the lead in to the heart of the story is subtle, measured, and often overlooked (much of the build-up is cut from the still hefty 4:50 radio edit).

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