3,000

Incredible. 

I wish I had been more appreciative earlier. I will likely never see another player like Miguel Cabrera. There may never be a player like him ever again. It's hard to believe that all too soon, we won't get to see him at the plate anymore. I can't imagine the Tigers without him. But that is still in the future. For now, we get to celebrate greatness.

Part of what makes him so great is his humility. I'm sure it is special to him to be hitting these huge milestones and getting his name in amongst the game's greatest players but the team is so much more important to him. If he gets all the records and milestones and the team loses, Miggy doesn't really enjoy the stuff that just about him. He wants to win. He wants his hits and home runs to help the team win and have a good season. It's not just about him. 

When the fans were all booing his intentional walk on the Thursday before he got #3,000 (April 21st, 2022), Miggy tried to calm them down and make them understand that the important thing was that we were winning. He's so classy and humble. Too many players, in baseball and other sports, when they are great, they know it and they get arrogant and rude. Miggy's attitude is part of what makes him so great and so special.

 
I can't believe how lucky I am to have gotten to experience so much of this great man's career. I lived through his Triple Crown season. (How was that already 10 years ago?!) I got to "see" him get 500 home runs and 3,000 hits and we'll soon see 600 doubles. It's something special and to live through it is a huge blessing and privilege. And he's on MY team!!! My hometown. I got to grow up watching Miguel Cabrera play baseball. I've taken it for granted for too long but not any more. I enjoy each and every game. Each and every moment. This has been one heck of a career and it's not over yet. He's special, and we all know it. 

Miggy, we love you 3,000 :)

Living Legend

Watch the 3,000th hit 

Miggy's career video 

Everything you need to know about Miggy's 3,000 hit

 

Photos taken by me in August 2016.

The Miguel Cabrera Conundrum

Everyone knows it - Miguel Cabrera has had a tough year. I'm an optimist, but that doesn't mean I deny reality. Something is wrong, but I believe it will be fixed and he'll be back to a more normal Cabrera next year. But based on the things I'm hearing, even resting for an off-season might work for a short time and not solve the issues. 

The fact of the matter is, Cabrera has dealt with injuries and played through them the past few years. Playing nine innings is not easy. He won't say much until the season is over, but there have been allusions made that he hurts when he's standing out in the field. So my solution is simple - make him the DH. The details of that transition may be a little more complex, but the idea isn't.

Victor Martinez is currently the DH, but he only has one year left on his contract, and with his health issues this season, the possibility exists that he could retire after the current season ends. No one knows. 

The Tigers don't want to lose Miguel Cabrera's bat and I don't think it's gone. Maybe he does just need rest and thanks to the year we are having, he'll get plenty of it. (See, there is my optimism coming out :). 

It's not like we have a first baseman waiting in the wings, but that is less important than figuring out a way to get Miggy back to being Miggy. I'm sure he and the Tigers are going to be looking at everything they can. They don't need my opinion, but I thought I'd throw it out there for us lay people to mull over. 

(Photo credit: mine)