Tigers Cabrera gets 3,000th hit; 33rd player to reach mark

DETROIT– Tigers star Miguel Cabrera provided the 3,000 th hit of his decorated profession Saturday, ending up being the 33rd significant leaguer to reach the mark and the very first gamer from Venezuela to achieve the feat.Still an imposing existence at 39, Cabrera made history by grounding an opposite-field single to right through the shift in the first inning of Detroits video game against Colorado.Cabrera immediately raised his right arm as he headed toward first base. The crowd at mostly complete Comerica Park provided him a rousing ovation and shouted “Miggy! Miggy!” while fireworks were shot off from beyond the center field fence.The milestone struck came on a 1-1 pitch from Antonio Senzatela, a fellow Venezuelan, in the first video game of a day-night doubleheader. Rockies shortstop José Iglesias, who had fun with Cabrera on the Tigers, came over to give his previous colleague a huge hug.By then, all the Tigers were streaming from the dugout to greet the most recent member of baseballs elite 3,000-hit club. Minutes later on, Cabrera went behind home plate to welcome his mom, spouse, son and daughter on the field.Cabrera soon returned to very first base, but he didnt remain there for long. He scored on a three-run homer by 22-year-old novice Spencer Torkelson, who is promoted as the next big thing in Detroit and has taken over as the Tigers routine very first baseman with Cabrera now in the role of designated hitter.When the inning ended, the scoreboard flashed “Congratulations Miggy.” Cabrera emerged from the dugout for a drape call, waving to fans who had been rewarded with the highlight they pertained to see.Cabrera, nevertheless, wasnt quite done. He added a two-run single in the sixth, left for a pinch-runner and drew another big cheer.A two-time AL MVP, a Triple Crown winner and an 11-time All-Star with 4 batting titles, Miggys place among the Major League Baseball greats currently was guaranteed long prior to this afternoon in Detroit.As a 20-year-old novice, Cabrera assisted the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series champion. All these years later, stamping his name onto the 3,000-hit list had a nice ring, too.And itll certainly look great on a plaque in Cooperstown someday.Cabrera ended up being just the seventh player with 500 crowning achievement and 3,000 hits. He joined an exclusive club with Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez.Last August in Toronto, Cabrera linked for his 500th homer. Hes at 502 in his 20th season.Cabrera is the seventh Latino player to make the 3,000 chart. Hitting the mark connected him with the late Roberto Clemente, and hit No. 3,001 moved Cabrera ahead of the Pirates Hall of Famer.Pujols was the previous gamer to reach 3,000 hits, doing it in 2018. He was at 3,308 entering into Saturday and, at 42 with St. Louis, has stated this is his last season.The next hitter to reach 3,000? Difficult to say.Robinson Canó trailed Cabrera on the active list with 2,630 going into Saturday and is 39 years of ages. Yadier Molina, also 39, followed at 2,116. Amongst younger gamers, Jose Altuve (32) has 1,783 and Freddie Freeman (32) had 1,722. Mike Trout (30) was at 1,428. Cabrera got 3 hits Wednesday to get to 2,999, then struck out in his last at-bat of the night. He went 0 for 3 Thursday and was deliberately strolled his final time up versus the Yankees, drawing loud boos and chants from Detroit fans.The hallowed hit stayed on deck when Friday nights game against Colorado was rained out.Cabrera was the third player to get his 3,000 th hit while with Detroit, signing up with Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.While age has reduced his power to clear any fence and smash opposite-field shots to right-center, Cabrera has taken pleasure in a beast career at the plate.Cabrera became the very first significant leaguer in 45 years to win the Triple Crown by leading the league in batting average, crowning achievement and RBIs in 2012. That year, he won his first of two straight MVP awards and helped Detroit reach the World Series, during a stretch that consisted of 4 straight division championships.” He is one of the fantastic right-handed hitters ever,” Yankees manager and former Marlins teammate Aaron Boone stated this week.” And 3,000 hits, 500 homers, thats undoubtedly rarefied air. Hes done it, you know, in bigger ballparks his whole profession, in between Florida and here also. You know, hes an all-timer. Hes in that, most likely inner circle, of even the Hall of Fame. Its been a special profession,” Boone said.Cabrera enhanced his total most frequently versus James Shields, getting 27 hits against the previous Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City and San Diego pitcher.Detroit acquired Cabrera in a trade with the Marlins in 2007, with Dontrelle Willis likewise going to the Tigers in a deal for Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin. Cabrera had 842 hits at the time.The swap came a year after the Tigers lost the World Series to St. Louis, in the hope that Cabrera would assist them win the champion for the first time given that 1984. The Tigers, though, never ever won everything with their super star. Detroit was swept by San Francisco in the 2012 World Series and spent a decade in a restoring mode that bottomed out with 310 losses in between 2017-19. After Cabrera was an All-Star for the 11th time in 2016, his production decreased and Detroits rate of success did as well.The Tigers made vibrant moves in the offseason in a mission to be relevant with Cabrera acting as a draw to bring fans to the ballpark and to hit about one ball per video game into the outfield turf with smart swings after crushing baseballs with incredible force earlier in his career.A leading prospect in the minors, Cabrera made his major league debut in June 2003. He announced his existence to the whole baseball world that October.Brushed back by a number of heating systems from Yankee ace Roger Clemens, Cabrera returned to introduce a crowning achievement off the Rocket in helping the Marlins win the World Series.Cabrera is almost twice as old now and is still a kid at heart, just recently taking the grounds teams three-wheel bicycle for a flight throughout batting practice.And, one of the video games all-time greats can still get a base struck against some of the worlds best pitchers.—— More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

DETROIT– Tigers star Miguel Cabrera delivered the 3,000 th hit of his decorated career Saturday, becoming the 33rd major leaguer to reach the mark and the first gamer from Venezuela to achieve the feat.Still an enforcing existence at 39, Cabrera made history by grounding an opposite-field single to right through the shift in the very first inning of Detroits video game versus Colorado.Cabrera immediately raised his best arm as he headed towards very first base. Hitting the mark tied him with the late Roberto Clemente, and struck No. 3,001 moved Cabrera ahead of the Pirates Hall of Famer.Pujols was the previous gamer to reach 3,000 hits, doing it in 2018. He went 0 for 3 Thursday and was intentionally walked his last time up versus the Yankees, drawing loud boos and chants from Detroit fans.The hallowed hit remained on deck when Friday nights game versus Colorado was rained out.Cabrera was the third gamer to get his 3,000 th hit while with Detroit, signing up with Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.While age has lessened his power to clear any fence and smash opposite-field shots to right-center, Cabrera has actually taken pleasure in a beast career at the plate.Cabrera ended up being the first major leaguer in 45 years to win the Triple Crown by leading the league in batting average, house runs and RBIs in 2012. Cabrera had 842 hits at the time.The swap came a year after the Tigers lost the World Series to St. Louis, in the hope that Cabrera would assist them win the championship for the very first time since 1984. After Cabrera was an All-Star for the 11th time in 2016, his production declined and Detroits rate of success did as well.The Tigers made bold relocations in the offseason in a quest to be appropriate with Cabrera serving as a draw to bring fans to the ballpark and to hit about one ball per game into the outfield yard with smart swings after squashing baseballs with incredible force previously in his career.A leading prospect in the minors, Cabrera made his big league debut in June 2003.