As the MLB season comes to a close so does the career of one of the greatest players to ever pick up a baseball. Miguel Cabrera holds a special place not only in my heart, but in the hearts of MSABR, the state of Michigan, and fans of baseball across the world. This article will focus less on Miggy’s statistical prowess and exist more as a general appreciation for a generational player.
On June 20, 2003, Miggy made his debut. Batting eighth, the 20-year-old found himself in a lineup consisting of Ivan Rodriguez in the three-hole. Though this was Pudge’s only year in Florida, the hall of famer would overlap with Miggy for half a season during his final (and Cabrera’s first) year in Detroit.
He mustered just one hit but did it in prime Miggy fashion. Tied in the bottom of the 11th following an Alex Gonzalez double, he powered a fly ball to deep center field, walking off the game. This first of many long balls for the rookie was just a taste of what he would have to offer in the future.
His 87 games that year landed him 5th in Rookie of the Year voting and even snuck him onto the MVP finishers list. At the time an outfielder and third baseman, Miggy’s .268 average would be the lowest of his career until 2017. The 2003 Marlins would go on to win the World Series and give Cabrera his first taste of championship baseball but ultimately his only ring.
Five seasons is all Cabrera would play with the Marlins. During this, he accumulated four all-star appearances, two Silver Sluggers, and two 5th-place MVP finishes. The Marlins would eventually deal him to the Tigers in December of 2007 after a 71-91 season which was 5th in the NL East. In return, they received a bundle of players that included familiar-faced Tiger, Cameron Maybin.
In Detroit, Miggy transitioned to playing first base with the hot corner being occupied by Carlos Guillen. In his first year dawning the Olde English D, he led the American League in home runs and total bases. A 74-88 finish was manager Jim Leyland’s first, and only, losing season with the Tigers.
The Tigers would ink Cabrera to an 8-year contract in 2008 for $152.3 million. This deal would keep the cornerstone of the lineup in Detroit during his prime and allow them to begin building toward a contending team.
In 2010 Cabrera produced the best numbers of his then 8 years in the league. A slashline of .328/.420/.622 got him a second-place MVP finish only behind Josh Hamilton who accumulated 8.7 WAR that season. Miggy’s 178 OPS+ led all major leagues that year and would be his third-best season for the metric. However, Detroit would finish 81-81 and miss the playoffs.
The following year, he picked up right where he left off. Playing all but one game in 2011, he led the MLB in batting average, on-base percentage, and doubles. This performance, however, would land him fifth in American League MVP voting as Cabrera would closely miss out on the award for another year. The winner in 2011? Fellow Tiger, Justin Verlander. This year would also be Miggy’s first playoff appearance with Detroit as they won 95 games but fell short in the ALCS to the Rangers.
The 2012 season came remarkably close to perfection. Adding to his outstanding performance so far, Cabrera cemented his status as one of the all-time greats by clinching the batting Triple Crown; a feat last accomplished by Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. The Detroit Tigers secured a playoff berth once more and faced off against the San Francisco Giants in the World Series where they, unfortunately, could not secure a single win.
Nevertheless, Miggy achieved a significant milestone by winning AL MVP and capturing the award that had eluded him thus far in his career. This decision was met with controversy, but it was hard to deny the recognition to a player who had achieved a feat not seen in 45 years. Additionally, he reached another milestone during the season by hitting his 300th home run.
In 2013 Miggy improved yet again, posting the best slash line of his career (.348/.442/.636) and a career-high 190 OPS+. His performance that year was so spectacular that Cabrera almost won the triple crown AGAIN finishing nine home runs and just one RBI behind Oriole Chris Davis (known cheater). Miggy’s remarkable performance culminated in a second consecutive MVP season which included his legendary at-bat and the game-tying home run off Mariano Rivera and the Yankees.
Just before the 2014 season, the Tigers and Cabrera would come to terms yet again on an extension. Another 8-year deal extended his stint in Detroit and likely meant the rest of his career would be played there. At $248 million dollars, the contract made Cabrera the highest-paid tiger
For the next three years, Cabrera would continue to perform as an all-star. He hit a career-high 52 home runs in 2014 and won another batting title in 2015. Unbeknownst to fans, these seasons would be the last of Cabrera’s stellar showings.
The tail end of his career was unfortunately riddled with injury. Starting in 2017, Cabrera missed time in multiple seasons, the most notable being in 2018 where he played just 38 games due to a ruptured tendon. From the start of his decline through 2021, Miggy missed 217 games because of these injuries and some performance regression. This also marked the beginning of his shift to a designated hitter and by 2020 Cabrera was spending more time off the diamond than on it defense-wise. But hey, in the time he saved not fielding ground balls he was able to release his own song “Miggy al Bate.”
In 2022 things looked optimistic. Through the first half, Miggy slashed .287/.324/.346 and was even named to the all-star roster by commissioner Rob Manfred alongside fellow veteran Albert Pujols. A complimentary nod, the selection honored two future hall-of-fame hitters in the final years of their careers showing flashes of their former, prime selves.
The 40-year-old’s farewell tour is wrapping up with a series against the Guardians in Detroit where he’s expected to play every game. After collecting cowboy hats, subway signs, and an iconic bottle of wine along with many generous donations to his charity, fans will have one last chance to see Miggy take the stage at Comerica.
Miguel Cabrera will retire with a laundry list of accolades. He has a World Series Ring, 2 MVPs, 4 batting titles, 7 Silver Sluggers, 12 All-Star appearances, and a Triple Crown. He dawns a career slash line of .306/.382/.518 and 67.2 WAR. He’s collected 3170 hits, 511 home runs, and 1880 RBIs (and counting). He is one of three players to have 3000 hits, 500 home runs, and 600 doubles. The others being Hank Aaron and Albert Pujols. With his exit we won’t just be losing an iconic Tiger, we’ll be saying goodbye to one of the greatest hitters of all time.
So far I’ve recapped how good Cabrera was at baseball. How he performed as a player and a teammate. But I think his effect on the world of the sport needs to be highlighted too.
Growing up everyone wanted to be Miggy. My friends and I used to sit in front of the TV and copy his swing with aspirations of hitting like he could. The joy he’s brought to the game of baseball is immeasurable. Whether it be interacting with fans on foul balls that take him over to the seats or his playful attitude with opposing players as they come to first, Cabrera has never failed to lighten the game with his jovial attitude.
Off the field, Cabrera has had an impact just as lasting. Right before coming to Detroit, he and his wife started the Miguel Cabrera Foundation. The organization works towards aid and education for youth as well as community development accomplished through sports initiatives. Since its foundation, they have raised over $3 million dollars for their goals.
As a native of Venezuela, Cabrera has also made his home community a focus of his efforts. He’s established baseball academics in the country, giving him the opportunity to coach kids and promote the sport. He’s also gotten involved charitably back home visiting hospitals, schools, and youth organizations. He’s also been present for all five World Baseball Classic’s as a member of the Venezuelan team.
As of writing this, it was just announced that Cabrera would be continuing with the Tigers organization as an assistant to the president of baseball operations. Whatever this role entails, it’s nice to know that his presence will be sticking around in Detroit.
With that, we flip the last few pages of the book of Miggy. As the realization sets in that Sunday will be the last time we see him suit up in Comerica, I reminisce on the career I’ve been lucky enough to witness unfold. I was watching when you hit your 500th and your 3000th, I’ll be watching when you give one last final wave to Detroit, and I’ll be watching when they put you in the Hall of Fame.
So to Miguel Cabrera,
Thank you for being my Tiger
Categories: Articles, MLB Player Profiles
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