On February 28, 1986, Cabell and six others were suspended for the entire season for admitting during the Pittsburgh drug trials that they were involved in cocaine abuse. The suspensions for all seven were avoided after agreeing to large anti-drug donations and community service.[7]
He played MLB for 15 seasons, despite the distinction of being singled out by Bill James in his 1983 Baseball Abstract as a player who "can't play baseball."[8] Currently, he serves as a special assistant to Astros general manager James Click.[9]
In December 2008, Tennessee TitansquarterbackVince Young filed suit against Cabell and two others for applying for a trademark to use Young's initials and the "Invincible" nickname to sell products without Young's permission in 2006. The suit claimed that their use of Young's name damaged endorsement deals for Young; he asked the court to give him the exclusive rights to use the initials and nickname. Cabell denied any wrongdoing.[10]