Yesterday Miguel Cabrera announced to MLB.com Christina De Nicola he was hanging his cleats up after what will be his 21st season in MLB. You will be hard pressed to find a ballplayer who has done as much in and for the sport of baseball than the beloved, Miggy. Twelve times an All-Star, seven Silver Slugger awards, four time AL Batting Champion, Twice the MVP. The Last man to win The Triple Crown. And a World Series Ring in 2003. Oh one more thing. Cabrera is one of just seven players to mash 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. Hi Mom ! If you are wondering people. This is how you punch a ticket to Cooperstown.
To The Wayback Machine
Back in the last century Cabrera was signed by the Florida Marlins as an undrafted free agent. In 2002 he hit the show. He spent his first five years in Miami collecting 4 of his All-Star appearances and being in the conversation all four of those years for MVP. Then the wheels came off in FLA. knowing they would not be able to pay what Miguel was about to command on the Free Agent market owner Jeffry Loria had his GM Larry Beinfest shop the young Cabrera and the tigers came running. He and Dontrelle Willis went north to the Motor City for Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Eulogio de la Cruz, Mike Rabelo, Burke Badenhop and Dallas Trahern. Not exactly lopsided but We all knew who won this trade.
The rest as we say is history. Living History. That we all were lucky enough to witness. Cabrera is in the final year of a still massive 300 + million dollar deal he signed in 2008. The last guaranteed season will be 2023 at a whopping 32 million dollars. For the Tigers and the fans of Detroit An investment well earned.
Next Stop Cooperstown
After what can be expected as a whirlwind retirement tour of rocking chairs and Green Monster # 24 scoreboard numbers gifts coming his way. Miggy will wait his 5 years then walk into the hall of fame. If he isn't the second unanimous vote ( Mariano Rivera is the only Member at that table ) i will eat my … wait we are talking about the BBWAA here. Lets just go with ill fall out of my chair laughing. Thank you Miggy , thank you for 20 of the best years in baseball history.
As always you can follow/give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207