Miguel Cabrera, adorned with HTML tags on his first baseman’s glove, made his way onto the field alone. However, he was far from alone. More than 41,000 fans stood up and cheered for him, expressing their gratitude. As the Detroit Tigers’ first baseman, Cabrera took the field in the eighth inning and immediately showcased his skills by making an impressive play, backhanding a ground ball and beating the speedy Steven Kwan to first base.
The beauty of baseball was evident in that moment. “That was awesome,” Cabrera exclaimed. “To return to first base for one out, it was a dream come true.” The conclusion of Cabrera’s legendary MLB career was met with heartfelt stories from friends and teammates, all attributing his success to his unwavering dedication.
Cabrera didn’t stop at making the play – he celebrated it with gusto. He picked up the ball in the dirt, raised his right arm, pointed his finger in the air, and danced across first base, narrowly beating Kwan. He then smacked his chest three times with an open hand while running through the base, into foul territory, and back toward the mound. The joy on his face was unparalleled. Cabrera tossed the ball to shortstop Javier Báez and embraced right-handed reliever Will Vest. Standing in the middle of the diamond, he removed his glove, took off his hat, and raised his arms in the air. Cabrera waved to the crowd with both hands.
Fate seemed to provide Cabrera with the perfect opportunity to make that play. Fans, players, coaches, staff members, and especially his family members created the perfect send-off for him as he retired from the game. His career spanned 21 seasons, totaling 2,797 games in which he achieved a .306 batting average, 511 home runs, 627 doubles, and 3,174 hits. Cabrera’s remarkable accolades include 12 All-Star selections, a World Series victory in 2003, two AL MVP awards, a Triple Crown in 2012, and four AL batting titles. Only three players in baseball history – Cabrera, Hank Aaron, and Albert Pujols – have achieved the feat of 500 home runs, 600 doubles, and 3,000 hits. Cabrera holds the highest batting average among them.
Manager A.J. Hinch made his way out of the dugout, followed by Cabrera’s children: Brisel Cabrera, Isabella Cabrera, and Christopher Cabrera. The three kids received hugs from their father, and Cabrera couldn’t hold back his tears – a rare occurrence for him. The last time he cried during a game was on April 23, 2022, when he recorded his 3,000th hit. The final game of his career began with his kids throwing him the first pitch, symbolizing a full-circle moment.
“They started your day, they’re going to end your day,” Hinch told Cabrera, signaling that it was time for him to leave the field. Cabrera removed his sunglasses, allowing his tears to be seen by all. “I didn’t want to hide my emotions,” Cabrera explained. “It’s a special moment.”
After that, Cabrera embraced each member of his final team. Both infielders and outfielders gathered near the third-base line, close to the dugout. Players and trainers from the bench joined them on the field, and the relief pitchers emerged from the bullpen. Everyone in Comerica Park paid homage to one of the greatest right-handed hitters in baseball history.
“It’s indescribable,” Cabrera said after the Tigers’ 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, which marked the end of the 2023 season. “I want to express my gratitude to the fans for their continuous support throughout my career. I feel like I’m a part of this city. I love Detroit, and I want to continue being a part of this team in the future.”
And thus, with his glove in hand, Cabrera bid farewell to his illustrious career. His final game at the plate was not remarkable, as he went 0-for-3 with a walk. However, the significance of the moment overshadowed his performance. His children introduced him for his first at-bat, and Cabrera, without his sunglasses, stepped into the batter’s box. He struck out in the first and third innings, popped out in the fourth, and drew a walk in the seventh. None of the 15 pitches thrown to Cabrera were inside the strike zone.
Reflecting on his final game, Cabrera admitted, “I was kind of lost in the game because I couldn’t focus. I tried to have a plan, but at the plate, I was swinging at everything. I wanted to do something, but that’s not my usual approach. I made a mistake by swinging at everything, but it was still a great experience.”
However, it was in the field that Cabrera had one last opportunity to shine. He jogged to first base, and the fans erupted in applause. During warmups, a throw from Báez went over Cabrera’s outstretched glove. Cabrera ventured into foul territory to retrieve it, but a police officer had already picked it up. He hugged the officer, retrieved the ball, and returned to his position. Then, Kwan, known for his contact skills, stepped up to the plate in the top of the eighth inning.
On the first pitch, Kwan made contact, hitting a ground ball just to the left of the first-base bag. Cabrera swiftly backhanded the ball and beat Kwan to the base for the out. Tigers’ broadcaster Dan Dickerson eloquently captured the moment: “The strike one, swing and a ground ball to first, backhanded by Cabrera, crosses the bag with his left foot, one out in the eighth. Of course. The ball will always find you.” On the other hand, Cabrera expressed his confidence, saying, “I knew that was going to happen, a ground ball. I was ready, and I made a nice play too.”
While a curtain call may have been fitting after Cabrera’s walk in the seventh inning, he remained in the game to end his career by running the bases one final time. Hinch, tasked with orchestrating the perfect moment, did so successfully. After the next batter hit into a double play, Cabrera returned to the dugout and engaged in a brief conversation with Hinch. During the final out of the seventh inning, he spoke to first baseman Spencer Torkelson. Hinch informed Cabrera that it was time for him to leave the field, to which Cabrera agreed.
However, there was one problem – Cabrera had discarded his gloves during spring training because he wasn’t practicing fielding. Hinch turned to Torkelson for assistance, just as Cabrera had supported him during his rookie season. In April 2022, Cabrera personally conveyed to Torkelson that he had earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. This promotion paved the way for Cabrera to become a full-time designated hitter, and he has been a steadfast supporter of Torkelson ever since.
Cabrera then asked Torkelson, “Hey, Tork, do you have an extra glove?” Torkelson graciously offered Cabrera his own glove, which he had used throughout the year. Torkelson fondly nicknamed the glove “Gamer,” and he had intended to use it in the coming season. However, he quickly decided that he would break in a new glove instead.
After Cabrera and Torkelson embraced on the field, Cabrera returned the glove to Torkelson. As Torkelson hugged him and told him he loved him, Cabrera caught his attention once more. He handed Torkelson the now-legendary glove. After the game, Cabrera signed the glove and allowed Torkelson to keep it. The glove now serves as a testament to Cabrera’s career, featuring six historical notes: TRIPLE CROWN 2012; AL MVP 2012-13; 4X BATTING CHAMP; 12X ALL-STAR; 3000 HITS, 500 HR.
Torkelson plans to purchase a display case for the glove and proudly showcase it in his man cave. He believes that the baseball gods played a role in this extraordinary moment. Reflecting on Cabrera’s legacy, Torkelson remarked, “The baseball gods are real.”
Cabrera basked in the adoration of the fans, but let’s once again turn to Dickerson for a poignant summary: “It’s the chance for Tiger fans to say thank you to Miguel Cabrera one last time.” The sentiments expressed by the longtime broadcaster encapsulate the collective appreciation for Cabrera’s remarkable career.
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