Tigers’ Cabrera gets 3,000th hit; 33rd player to reach mark

DETROIT

Miguel Cabrera, Tigers’ star, delivered the 3,000th hit in his career on Saturday. He became the 33rd player to achieve the milestone and the first Venezuelan to do so.

Cabrera, still an intimidating presence at 39 years old, made history when he grounded an opposite-field double to right through the shift in Detroit’s first inning against Colorado.

Cabrera raised his right arm immediately as he moved toward first base. Cabrera was met with a standing ovation by the crowd at Comerica Park. They chanted “Miggy!” Miggy!” While fireworks were fired from the middle field fence.

The landmark hit was on a 1-1 pitch made by Antonio Senzatela, another Venezuelan, in the opening game of a day-night doubleheader. Jose Iglesias (Rockies shortstop) came over to hug his former teammate Cabrera.

All the Tigers had gathered at the dugout to welcome the newest member in baseball’s elite 3,000-hit club. Cabrera embraced his wife, son, and daughter at the field just moments later.

Cabrera quickly returned to first base but didn’t stay there long. Cabrera has been promoted to designated hitter, after scoring on a home run by Spencer Torkelson (22-year-old rookie).

The scoreboard flashed the words “Congratulations Miggy” after the final inning. Cabrera walked out of the dugout to give a curtain call to the fans, waving at them for the highlight.

Cabrera was not done. Cabrera added another two-run run in the sixth and then left for a pinch-runner, drawing another huge cheer.

Miggy, who was an AL MVP twice, won the Triple Crown and was an All-Star with four batting title, was already a major league baseball legend long before this afternoon at Detroit.

Cabrera was a rookie in baseball at the age of 20 and helped the Florida Marlins win their 2003 World Series title. He was able to stamp his name on the 3,000-hit roster all these years later. It was a nice ring too.

It will look great on a Cooperstown plaque one day.

Cabrera was the seventh player to have 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. He joined an exclusive group that included Hank Aaron, Willie Mays (Eddie Murray), Rafael Palmeiro, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, and Willie Mays.

Cabrera made his 500th homer in Toronto last August. He is now at 502 in his twenty-first season.

Cabrera is seventh Latino player to chart at 3,000. He tied Roberto Clemente in hitting the mark and reached No. Cabrera was moved to No. 3,001 by the Pirates Hall of Famer.

Pujols, who reached 3,000 hits in 2018, was the first player to do so. He was at 3,308 as of Saturday. saidThis is his final season.

Who will be the next hitter to hit 3,000? It’s hard to know.

Robinson Cano, 39, was second on the active roster with 2,630 as of Saturday. Yadier Molina, also 39, was second at 2,116.

Jose Altuve (32) was the youngest player with 1,783 while Freddie Freeman (32) had 1,722. Mike Trout (30), was at 1,428.

Cabrera scored three runs Wednesday to reach 2,999 and then struck out in his final at bat of the night. He was 0 for 3, and intentionally walked his last at-bat against the Yankees. This drew loud boos from Detroit fans.

The legendary hit was not lost when the game against Colorado on Friday night was cancelled.

Cabrera was third to reach 3,000 hits while playing for Detroit, along with Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.

Cabrera’s ability to smash the opposite-field shots to right centre and clear any fence has been diminished by age, but he has had a remarkable career at the plate.

Cabrera won the Triple Crown for the first time in major league history in 2012 when he led the league in home runs, batting average and RBIs. In 2012, Cabrera won his first of two consecutive MVP awards. He also helped Detroit reach the World Series during a stretch that saw four consecutive division championships.

Aaron Boone, former Marlins player and Yankees manager, says that Boone “is one of the greatest right-handed batters ever.” saidThis week.

“And 3,000 hits, 500 runs, that’s clearly rarefied air. It’s something he has done throughout his entire career in bigger ballparks, both in Florida and here. He’s an all-timer, you know. Boone is in the inner circle of the Hall of Fame, but not necessarily the Hall of Fame. Boone said, “It’s been an extraordinary career.” said.

Cabrera scored the most against James Shields with 27 hits against former Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox and San Diego pitchers.

In a 2007 trade, Detroit acquired Cabrera from the Marlins. Dontrelle Wilis was also traded to the Tigers for Andrew Miller’s and Cameron Maybin’s services. Cabrera scored 842 runs that year.

The Tigers had lost the World Series in St. Louis a year prior to the swap, hoping that Cabrera would help them win their first championship since 1984.

But, the Tigers never won it all without their superstar. Detroit was defeated by San Francisco in 2012 World Series. They spent 10 years rebuilding, with 310 losses from 2017-19.

Cabrera became an All-Star in 2016 for the 11th consecutive time. His production dropped and Detroit’s success rate also declined.

The Tigers made bold decisions in the offseason to stay relevant. Cabrera served as a draw to get fans to the ballpark, and to hit approximately one ball per match into the outfield grass. He had previously crushed baseballs with tremendous force earlier in his career.

Cabrera was a top prospect in the minors and made his big league debut June 2003. In October 2003, Cabrera made public his arrival to the major leagues.

Cabrera was able to launch a home run off Rocket after being rebuffed by Roger Clemens, Yankee ace.

Cabrera is almost twice his age and still an infant. He recently rode the three-wheeler for batting practice.

Even so, one of the greatest players in the game can still get a base hit versus some of the top pitchers.