Miguel Cabrera has been one of the biggest names in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the face of the Detroit Tigers organization for years. As he approaches the final days of his 21 year career, it is important to look back on his various accomplishments and recognize how rare of a talent he is.
Cabrera, the Tigers Designated Hitter and long-time first and third baseman, announced at the start of the 2023 season that it would be his final year in the MLB. He debuted in the league in June of 2003 for the Florida Marlins, finding success from the start. His first major league hit was a walk-off home run, and his first year ended with a World Series Championship.
After a few seasons in Miami, Cabrera was traded to Detroit following the 2007 season, where he would begin to shape his legacy. Cabrera made a huge impact on the Tigers lineup and the city of Detroit, as the Tigers were top contenders year after year, and fans were coming to games in Cabrera jerseys by the thousands.
“Cabrera is one of my favorite players of all-time. [He’s] one of my favorite Tigers of all-time,” said Adams senior Johnny Jackson. “I love Miggy!”
Cabrera was a huge factor behind the Tigers’ 2012 American League Championship run, as the one-two punch of Cabrera and Prince Fielder in the heart of the order generated a level of power rare to lineups across the league.
In addition to the Tigers’ pennant run, the 2012 season was also the year of Cabrera’s most prestigious accomplishment–winning the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is awarded to the hitter who leads their respective league in batting average (BA), home runs (HR), and runs batted in (RBI). In 2012, Cabrera finished the year with a .330 BA, 44 HR, and 139 RBI. He is the last person to have won the award, and was the first to win it since the Red Sox’s Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
“He’s the greatest offensive player of my lifetime,” said Adams senior Ben Sweetwood.
As Cabrera’s years in the majors continued, he began approaching some huge milestones. On August 22, 2021, Cabrera became the 28th hitter in MLB history to hit 500 career home runs. On April 23, 2022, Cabrera became the 33rd hitter in MLB history with 3,000 career hits. He is just the seventh player in MLB history to accomplish both feats.
“When he hit his 500th home run, [it was] probably one of my favorite moments as a Tigers fan,” said Jackson.
Recently, Cabrera recorded his 3,167th hit, which broke a tie with his close friend Adrian Beltré for 16th all-time in career hits (post-1900).
Cabrera’s final series will begin September 29 at home against the Tigers’ division rival, the Cleveland Guardians, and his final game will be on October 1. The Tigers are hosting a special “Miggy Celebration Weekend” during the three-game series, featuring music and cuisine from his native country of Venezuela, special pre-game ceremonies, and one last curtain call for Cabrera.
Cabrera is the kind of player that is seldom seen in MLB Draft classes, as he has accomplished feats that even the greatest players can only dream of. Because of this, Cabrera has cemented himself in baseball history, has earned a future spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and will be recognized as one of if not the greatest right-handed hitter of all-time.
