Series creates reunion for brothers

They’re separated by 2,900 miles, three time zones and an international border.

You probably couldn’t forge a greater distance between Jolbert and Orlando Cabrera if you tried.

Not that any geographical obstructions could keep apart these brothers, best friends and major league players.

Nothing ever has.

The truth is these Cabrera brothers – Seattle’s Jolbert and Montreal’s Orlando – couldn’t be any closer.

“We talk on the phone fairly often and do our best to stay in touch,”

Jolbert Cabrera said. “It’s hard because we’re in different time zones.

It’s a little tough because we’re apart for so long during the season.”

With Montreal at Safeco Field for a three-game series that started Friday – the Cabrera brothers will see each other for the first time since spring training.

There will be a lot to talk about, much more than they could ever share during their frequent phone calls to each other.

The Cabreras will have lunch this weekend, squeeze in a late dinner or two. They’ll commiserate about their respective struggles – Orlando’s season-long funk and Jolbert’s more-often-than-not seat on the Mariners’ bench.

“I get advice from him, I give him advice,” Orlando Cabrera said Thursday from Kansas City, where the Expos were playing the Royals.

“We talk about his situation at this point in time. I’m really frustrated for him, not being able to play every day.”

This series – an interleague afterthought, considering the plight of the Mariners (22-36) and the Expos (19-38) this season – means much more to the Cabrera brothers.

These brothers – the only sons of the late Jolbert Cabrera Sr., and wife Josephine – have always been close.

Jolbert Cabrera Sr., played baseball and later scouted and coached Colombia’s national team. He taught each of his sons how to play the game while the boys grew up in Cartagena, a seaside city that borders the Caribbean Sea.

While most of Colombia’s youth were cutting their teeth on a different game – soccer – the Cabreras spent hours on a dusty diamond working on double-play pivots or honing their sweet swings under their father’s watchful gaze.

Only seven players from Colombia have played in the major leagues – the Cabreras are two of them.

Jolbert Cabrera, who at 31 is two years older than Orlando, originally signed with the Expos as a non-drafted free agent in 1990. He never appeared with the Expos, but did play with Orlando at Class AAA Ottawa in 1997. Jolbert Cabrera spent parts of five seasons with the Indians and Dodgers, never getting more than 287 at-bats in a season until last season when he hit .282 in 347 at-bats with Los Angeles.

He’s been labeled a utility player, someone who can play just about everywhere. Take this season with the Mariners. Since he was acquired just before the season when third baseman Scott Spiezio went on the disabled list, Cabrera has played first base, second base, shortstop, third base and two outfield positions.

Cabrera’s hitting .291 with 12 RBIs, though playing time is sporadic.

“More than anything, to bring in a guy like that, you want to know that he can get it done defensively,” Seattle manager Bob Melvin said. “He’s been outstanding at every position we throw him out there.”

But the utilityman label bothers Orlando Cabrera. He knows his brother, and he knows his brother can be an every-day player.

“I think in baseball, there’s always that thing when you do something so well,” Orlando Cabrera said. “Sort of like in Hollywood when you win an Oscar as a supporting actor, you’re going to be a supporting actor forever.

“That’s what happened with him. He plays so many positions so well, every manager that he’s had thinks he’s more valuable on the bench. But he can play.”

So can Orlando Cabrera, as evidenced by the career year he had last season with the Expos – .297 batting average, 17 home runs, 80 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.

This season has been a struggle. With slugger Vladimir Guerrero gone to Anaheim, Cabrera hasn’t seen nearly as many good pitches. A career .269 hitter, he’s hitting .229 with three home runs and 17 RBIs.

“He’s my brother, so I want him to do the best he can,” Jolbert Cabrera said. “He’s a very good player. He’s been having a tough time this season, so I hope that he can turn it around. He’s a professional and he’s done it before. I tell him he’s going to be OK.”