Meet Gaby Sanchez
April 5, 2004
By Tracy Gale
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Hurricane starting third baseman and Miami native Gaby Sanchez has been coming to UM baseball games all of his life.
“I grew up in West Kendall. We–my mom, my dad, my brother and me– used to come here a lot,” Gaby says, while surveying Mark Light Field from the dugout bench. “I remember the games and all of the action going on here. It was the perfect family atmosphere. And you know what? It still is.”
Family atmosphere most certainly describes Sanchez’s UM experience, from his childhood to the present. Gaby’s parent’s, Remberto and Iliana, have not missed a game of his UM career.
“My parents are here for EVERY game. More than that, my dad is here for EVERY practice, too! My dad owns an embroidery business and the Sluggers Batting Cages out at Tamiami Park, so he can set his business schedule around UM games and practices.”
Gaby’s parents are both from Cuba. They emigrated here over two decades ago, and attended Miami-Dade Community College. The tight-knit family also includes brother Remberto Jr.
<=””>”We played baseball, basketball and soccer as kids,” Gaby remembers. “My brother and I used to play imaginary World Series games like all kids do. His favorite sport was soccer. When I was 13 my dad said to be really good in one sport we needed to focus on just one-so I chose baseball. Baseball has always been my favorite sport, and my dream since the age of four has been to play in the major leagues.”
Sanchez attended McMillan Middle School and then Miami Brito Senior High School. A gifted student as well as an athlete, Gaby has earned athletic academic honor roll awards. He is also an accomplished saxophone player.
“I went to McMillan Middle School and they have an amazing band program. When I was in the seventh grade I wanted to join so bad. It sounded so cool and fun! So I picked the saxophone as my instrument. Then in eighth grade we got two elective periods, so I took both symphonic band and jazz band. We competed in a lot of area competitions, it was a great program. I still enjoy playing.”
Sanchez lives in an off-campus apartment with brother Remberto, a student at FIU, and pitcher J.D. Cockcroft. While playing baseball for the ‘Canes and going to school doesn’t leave him much free time, Gaby does enjoy some rare time off. He loves going out with teammates and enjoying the Miami club scene.
“If we do have spare time I like to just hang out, relax and basically do nothing. I also love being out on the water, relaxing out on the boat. But my mind is never far from baseball.”
Sanchez says the two highlights from the 2003 season were hitting for the cycle [against Pace University on May 2] and making it to the College World Series. Asked about starting his first game in a Hurricane uniform, Sanchez smiles and remembers it was a nerve-wracking night.
“I started as a freshman, and our first game was against cross-town rival FIU. I knew a lot of those guys, and I know how they feel about us: all they want to do is beat UM. So here I am, under the lights playing in front of about 4,000 people. I had terrible butterflies in my stomach! The first game of every season is like that. I guess with maturity you learn to lose the butterflies quicker. I know I did this year.”
After a stellar freshman year where he hit .328 and 56 RBIs, Sanchez says there are a number of areas he can improve on.
“This year I am a lot more comfortable, both in the field and at the plate. Last year I was thinking so hard about each play that I was over-thinking. When you let your brain do all of the work out there the natural feel and instincts you have for a play get lost. It’s easier to get into a groove when you aren’t so intense. I was way too intense on the field last year. That was true even at the beginning of this season. But I am really comfortable out there now.”
Drafted out of high school in the 15th round by the Seattle Mariners, Sanchez didn’t sign because the money wasn’t worth giving up college. He feels he is progressing more now, anyway, then he would have had he signed a major league contract right out of high school.
“First off, Rookie League and Low-A Minor League baseball isn’t nearly as competitive as what we play here at the University of Miami. Plus, in the low minors, where I would have been assigned last year, there are no trainers, there isn’t a workout regimen or any weight room facilities. And I wouldn’t have had the playing time I do here. I have a chance to really strengthen my skills here at UM. Not just my baseball skills, but academics, too.”
In addition to the playing time and hitting the books, UM offers Sanchez the chance to learn from really great coaches, and he is appreciative of that as well.
“Coach Morris focuses on the mental game, the mental aspects of hitting. He teaches you how to prepare for different players and different situations. You feel like you are totally ready and prepared for every game. I’m so much more aware of game situations now. And [Coach] Gino DiMare works with us one-on-one, on our swing. He’ll break down film with you and help you make adjustments. It builds up your confidence.”
Sanchez looks forward to playing every day, but says the series he is most psyched for is Florida State. He has a lot of goals for his UM career and plans to work hard to see them accomplished.
“When I think of what I want to accomplish as a Hurricane, personal numbers don’t even factor into it. Last year was amazing to get all the way to the College World Series as a freshman. I want to help us make it there again this year, and next year. And I really want to finish my career on a high note-I’d love for the last play of my college career to be at Omaha, with us winning the title. That’s the last memory I want to have of my time as a Hurricane.”
Gaby Sanchez on The Hurricane Hotseat
What is your favorite UM class and why?
ESS 401. It’s Sports Law. We discuss NCAA rules and regulations and contract negotiation issues. It is so interesting because it’s what I am part of now. And hopefully what I’m learning now will help me when I sign a major league contract!
Which major league pitcher would you like to take your cuts against?Now, it would be Randy Johnson. I hope he is still there when I get there! But I think the best pitcher of all time is Nolan Ryan, so I’d like to try and get a hit off of him, too.
Favorite food:It would be a Cuban dish, Bistec Milanese.
Best T.V. show of all time:‘Friends.’
If I won the Lotto tonight, the first thing I would buy tomorrow is:Everything! The Lotto this week is $10 million so I would do a lot of shopping! But the first thing would be a car–a Ferrari.
The last CD I listened to was:A CD I burned myself. It has country, rock and rap on it.
If I was forced to be a contestant on a reality show, the show I’d be on is:‘Fear Factor.’ I’d want to try that one!
Best thing about UM besides being a Hurricane is:Definitely the girls…wait, can I say that?! But seriously, the friendships I have made here with my teammates will be lifelong friendships, and you can’t get better than that.
Career plans after baseball:Hopefully I will be old and retired on my baseball earnings!
You have been given two first class airline tickets to any destination in the world. Where would you go?I would really like to see the pyramids in Egypt. And if she is available I would like to take [actress] Jessica Biel with me!=””>
