Eric Welch, Staff Writer
Tigers DH Miguel Cabrera celebrates his 3,000th hit. Photo//Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
What a day at the ballpark! In front of a jam-packed Comerica Park, Miguel Cabrera joined the prestigious 3,000-hit club as the Tigers shut out the Colorado Rockies by a score of 13-0 Saturday afternoon.
Miggy wasted no time, poking a single opposite way into right field in the bottom of the first inning off Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela. A few batters later, rookie Spencer Torkelson hit his third homer of the season, a three-run shot to right field bringing around Cabrera to score and making it a 4-0 game in the first inning. Cabrera later added a two RBI single in the bottom of the sixth for hit number 3,001 before being pulled from the game for a pinch runner.
Detroit’s bats came alive for 20 hits, the first time since 2018, to go along with strong pitching from starter Tarik Skubal. Another impressive performance from the bullpen capped off the victory for Detroit, giving the team back-to-back shutout wins.
Colorado shortstop José Iglesias was the first to congratulate and embrace Cabrera on the field after his historic achievement, as they were teammates in Detroit from 2013-2018. The rest of the Tigers team ran from the dugout to mob Cabrera, as well as his family in attendance. It was a great moment for them and for the city of Detroit.
Detroit Tigers players meet Cabrera at first base to congratulate him on 3,000 hits. Photo//Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY SPORTS
Miguel Cabrera became the 33rd player in MLB history to reach 3,000 hits. He is also the third Tiger to reach the milestone, joining the legendary Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.
Cabrera also became the seventh player in MLB history to reach both 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. Last season, Tiger fans celebrated his 500th home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in August.
Additionally, Miggy joined Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as the only players in MLB history with 3,000 hits, 500 homers, and a .300+ career batting average.
The future Hall of Famer, 39-year-old Miguel Cabrera was drafted by the Florida Marlins in 1999, making his MLB debut with the team in 2003. Cabrera’s first major league at bat was a solo home run. He went on to help the Marlins beat the Yankees in the World Series later that year. Cabrera was traded to the Tigers in 2007 and is scheduled to earn $32 million this season.
Other career milestones include the Triple Crown in 2012, 2 MVP’s, 4 batting championships, and 11 All-Star appearances. Miguel Cabrera has grown to be one of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball, and Tigers fans are lucky to witness his greatness up close everyday.