Miguel Cabrera became the 33rd MLB player to hit 3,000 on Saturday, with a backfield singles against Colorado’s Antonio Senzatela.
Cabrera, who was chasing the target when Yankees manager Aaron Boone deliberately walked him earlier this week, is only the seventh player in history to hit 3,000 hits and 500 homers. The others are Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Albert Pujols, Eddie Murray, Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmiero.
The future Hall of Famer has won two MVP awards and the 2012 Triple Crown. He has been with the Tigers since a 2008 contract that sent him and the Florida Marlins’ Dontrelle Willis to Detroit, with Cameron Maybin in return being most of the package.
At 39, Cabrera has slowed but still hit .256/.316/.386 in 130 games last season. His next milestone will be his next double – the 600th of his career.
“I’ve been trying to remind our players that we’re playing with a living legend,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters. “We’re going to look back at those numbers, so few people have been able to reach those milestones. We will celebrate the moment with him.”
Boone and the Yankees were heavily booed earlier this week after intentionally walking on Cabrera — a decision that backfired. However, Cabrera tried to reassure Detroit fans by reminding them that the Tigers were leading 3-0 at the time.
Before the series finale against the Yankees, Cabrera told reporters, “I think I’m going to cry” as he hit the milestone.
Cabrera’s mother, wife and two children took to the field to celebrate, and Cabrera hugged opposing players including former teammate Jose Iglesias. Cabrera also got a curtain after coming around to score on Spencer Torkelson’s triple homer.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/23/tigers-miguel-cabrera-joins-3000-hit-club-with-single/ Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera joins 3,000 hit club with single