ONE FINAL STEP A CHATSWORTH TITLE WOULD COMPLETE SLUGGER CABRERA'S RETURN FROM INJURY.

Byline: Heather Gripp  Staff Writer

Willie Cabrera was at the top of the dog pile when the Chatsworth High baseball team clinched the City title and its first national championship last season. But that was one of the few times Cabrera made it on to the field last season, leaving him feeling like an outsider while his team was the center of attention.

A season-ending knee injury early in the year deprived Cabrera of being a part of last year's historic run, but the Chancellors senior second baseman no longer has to wonder what it feels like to play for a title. Top-seeded Chatsworth is back in the City final and on track to repeat as national champion, thanks in large part to Cabrera.

Cabrera, who last week set the state record for hits in a season, is batting .543 with a school-record 11 home runs and 49 RBI. He is 8 for 11 with three home runs, three doubles and six RBI in three playoff games leading to the final today against No. 2 San Pedro at Dodger Stadium.

Cabrera's two hits, including a home run, in a semifinal victory Friday over Kennedy of Granada Hills gave him 70 for the season and helped erase a seven-run deficit.

``The performance he's had is remarkable,'' Chatsworth coach Tom Meusborn said. ``Obviously, any time we have an opportunity to have Willie up there with guys on base, we're happy. You just wonder what he's going to do next.''

Last season, the only wondering was when Cabrera would be able to play again. He initially hurt his knee in a winter-league game, but after three weeks of rest was cleared to resume practice. Seven games into the season, Cabrera reinjured the knee sliding into a base and could tell immediately from the intense pain that it was more severe than before.

Season-ending surgery repaired his knee, but the morale of the usually upbeat, outgoing player was another story. He needed a few weeks before he could bring himself to watch games from the dugout again.

``I was kind of bummed last year,'' Cabrera said. ``But I didn't want to show it around the team because I knew they need my support. I just tried to be there to encourage them and help them any way I could.''

Cabrera, who has yet to make a college commitment, resumed working out in the summer. He credits his older brothers for getting him into better shape than he was before the injury. The brothers hired a trainer as well as working with Cabrera themselves on his swing.

Cabrera was unsure how he would repay the brothers who attend every game, but said, ``I just show them the stats and they're happy.''

Others are just as pleased.

``I'm happy for Willie, there's no question,'' Meusborn said. ``The frustration he went through not being able to play last year, this is real nice for him. He worked real hard to get back.''

Cabrera, a third-year varsity player, batted .500 in 28 at-bats last season, but the Chancellors never expected him to maintain that pace for a full season.

``We knew he was an outstanding offensive player,'' Meusborn said. ``But to hit what he's done over a period of time, geez, it's pretty impressive, I don't think you can ever expect that out of anyone. ... And he's not getting cheap hits, he's hitting the ball hard every time.''

Cabrera, 17, has played since T-ball but can't remember being in a groove like the one he's experienced this year.

``I'm not going to lie,'' he said. ``The ball does look kind of big up there. I'm just in a zone and everything's going right. ...

``This year's been a phenomenal year. It's just an unbelievable year. I can't say enough about it. I guess I'm living a lot of people's dream.''

But for Cabrera the dream isn't complete.

``There's one more way I could imagine it being better,'' he said. ``Hopefully that will come Tuesday night.''

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

All Willie Cabrera wants is to be able to enjoy a Chatsworth City and national title from on the field instead of only the dugout.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer