José Caballero, a utility player for the New York Yankees, attributes much of his motivation to the doubters he has encountered throughout his career. His journey has been marked by significant adversity, including a severe leg injury at 16 that threatened his ability to run professionally.

Caballero sustained a broken tibia and fibula when a teammate slid into him while he was attempting to catch a fly ball. The injury occurred shortly after his 16th birthday, a critical period for aspiring baseball players in Latin America who are often scouted for professional contracts. The injury required three surgeries and a year-long rehabilitation period, during which scouts and baseball insiders questioned his future running ability. This experience instilled in him a profound appreciation for speed and a desire to prove doubters wrong.

"Doubts" are what drive him, Caballero stated in an interview with The Post's Steve Serby. He views negative opinions as a constant source of motivation. This drive is coupled with an on-field mentality that he acknowledges can be perceived as "annoying" by opponents. Caballero explained that he plays the game differently, focusing on "the smallest details" to gain a competitive edge and play the mental game effectively.

His approach is rooted in a strong belief in himself. Caballero shared that Yankees manager Aaron Boone has noted his confidence, with Caballero stating, "I think if you don’t believe in yourself no one will believe in you." He described his on-field mentality as a "winning mentality," where every at-bat is treated as a battle to be won.

Beyond his personal drive, Caballero draws inspiration from his Panamanian roots and baseball legends. He proudly represented Panama in the World Baseball Classic, a significant moment for him and his country. He cited Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter as key figures who inspired him to pursue baseball and root for the Yankees.

Caballero's career has also been punctuated by a series of injuries between 2019 and 2022, including hand injuries, an ACL tear, and a period impacted by COVID-19. He expressed relief at being past those difficult times.

He also shared his positive views on recent baseball innovations, such as the ABS challenge, which he believes increases accountability for all participants. His helmet, used during a game where he was the first player to use the ABS challenge, was sent to the Hall of Fame.

Looking ahead, Caballero's ultimate goal is to "win the World Series" with the Yankees. He acknowledges the team is going through a difficult period but remains optimistic, stating, "We’ll make it through. Some bad moments right now, but goals don’t get achieved without the struggles, or without obstacles."

Caballero described his life with his wife, Ana, and his five-year-old daughter, Analia, as strong and supportive. He finds his role as a Yankee to be "the best," embracing the energy of New York fans and dreaming of a World Series parade.

"It’s the best," Caballero said of being a Yankee. "My younger me is really happy." He also added that he loves playing for the New York fans because they show appreciation when the team performs well and express their frustration when things are not going as planned.