Manuel "Manny" Cabral
Graduating class: 1956
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2011
Hall of Fame Category: Athlete
Manny was a four sport athlete at Fairhaven High playing at the varsity level for three years in football, basketball and track as well as four years at the varsity level in baseball.
Manny earned a football varsity letter in each of his three years while toiling in the trenches as a lineman where he played center, tackle and end for Coach Mel Entin. In his senior year he was honored with the Captain’s C along with fellow standout John Pina.
In basketball the 6 foot 3 inch center averaged 12 points per game and was consistently a top rebounder game after game. In a most memorable game in his senior year against Barnstable, Manny was matched against the opponent’s star player in a classic battle during which he scored 24 points and gathered in so many vital rebounds causing the news reporter to dub him the “tower of strength.” The 1956 F.H.S. basketball team went on to win the Class B Bay State Tournament Championship and Manny was selected to the All-Tourney Team.
Manny earned a varsity letter in each of his four years playing baseball under the direction of Hall of Fame Coach Alec Clement. A first baseman, Manny was known as a “heavy sticker” at bat and often had multiple hits during games including a two run single in the 6-4 win against rival New Bedford in his senior year.
Manny also spent some time with the spring track team throwing the shot put and earning a varsity letter in his junior and senior year. This was a most remarkable accomplishment as baseball and track were played in the same season and on occasion at the same time. Manny would get his shot put throws in and then hustle over to the baseball diamond for practice or a game.
Manny continued to participate in sports after high school. He was a standout in CYO basketball and was a member of the Fleet Basketball Team while serving in the U.S. Navy. He became a noted figure on the softball diamonds throughout greater Fairhaven and was arguably one of the finest Fast-Pitch pitchers in the area.
After his tour of duty Manny returned home to Fairhaven where he and his lovely wife Karen raised their three children, Matthew, Mark and Kristine. Manny’s family now includes four grandchildren and a great grandson.