Melky's Mommy Issues

I get it, Melky.

I feel like I finally understand you. All your struggles, all your troubles, everything that makes you the man you are today.

This epiphany came while watching yesterday's Braves-Phillies game. In celebration of Mother's Day and to raise breast cancer awareness, pink paraphernalia was everywhere.

Ribbons on uniforms. Signs on the bases. And of course, a few of the players were using special pink bats.

Melky Cabrera was not one of those people.

Normally, this wouldn't be an issue. Not all of the players use the bats, after all, so Cabrera alone isn't newsworthy. But if you watched the game, you could tell something was wrong.

In the first inning, Raul Ibanez (who was using a pink bat) flew out to shallow right field with a runner on third. Melky could have easily thrown Chase Utley out as he tagged up...but no attempt was made. Did he forget how many outs there were? Did he not think he could make the play?

Or more likely he saw all the bats, the ribbons, the motherly love flowing from every catwalk on a crisp Philadelphia afternoon...and the emotion was just too much for him.

Pictured: A scared, lonely little boy

It all makes perfect sense. What else could explain how Cabrera, who hit .274 with many clutch moments last season for the New York Yankees, is struggling so mightily in Atlanta? The answer became clear on Sunday.

Melky Cabrera misses his mommy.

It took Mother's Day to finally bring this issue to light, but I'm glad we did. Since we have diagnosed the issue, now begins the healing process. It's time for an Internet intervention.

Melky, your mother still loves you. We all love you, and we want to see you get better. We aren't going to sit idly by anymore and watch you submarine the Darling Asteroids. You might not care, Melky, but we do.

We want the old Melky back, the one with decent range who is eligible for all three outfield positions.

The one who hits for average and can swipe a few bases.

The five-tool Melky who is a contributor offensively so I can finally bench Carlos Quentin and his .172 batting average.

That's the Melky Cabrera that we all know and love. That's the Melky that your mother knows and loves, too. And just because she can't be with you every day doesn't mean she cares any less.

I know you wish she could be by your side at all times, ready to mend your broken heart or cheer you up after grounding into an inning-ending double play. And I'm sure she wishes the same thing.

Being away from Mom all the time is tough. I get it. In her eyes, you can do no wrong, and that's a big boost to one's confidence. She's the first one to chime in, "It's OK, honey. You moved the runner over."

A mother's love is endless and relentless, even when she has plenty of reason to give up on you, like when you can't seem to find a real job, or you're only hitting .192 through the first week of May.

My mother, somehow, some way, raised five children while maintaining most of her sanity. She came to most of my baseball and soccer games, and even my football games...and we went 0-8 that year. And I sucked.

But good luck telling her that. Through my whole life she's been my biggest supporter. She's been my confidant, my cheering section, my role model, and now she's one hell of a Farmville farmer.

And I'm sure your mother feels the same way about you, Melky (even the Farmville bit). She loves her little Melk Man and only wants what's best for him.

So get on out there and be somebody.

And even if you're terrible with runners in scoring position, remember...your mother still loves you, and she'll always be your biggest fan.

You're the best, Mom. Don't ever change.