Cabrera became the 33rd Major League Baseball player to reach the milestone.
Tigers star Miguel Cabrera delivered the 3,000th hit of his decorated career Saturday, becoming the 33rd major leaguer to reach the mark and the first player from Venezuela to accomplish the feat. Still an imposing presence at 39, Cabrera made history by grounding an opposite-field single to right through the shift in the first inning of Detroit’s game against Colorado. Cabrera immediately raised his right arm as he headed toward first base. The crowd at mostly full Comerica Park gave him a rousing ovation and chanted “Miggy! Miggy!” while fireworks were shot off from beyond the center field fence. The milestone hit came on a 1-1 pitch from Antonio Senzatela, a fellow Venezuelan, in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. Rockies shortstop José Iglesias, who played with Cabrera on the Tigers, came over to give his former teammate a big hug. By then, all the Tigers were streaming from the dugout to greet the newest member of baseball’s elite 3,000-hit club. Moments later, Cabrera went behind home plate to embrace his mother, wife, son and daughter on the field. Cabrera soon returned to first base, but he didn’t stay there for long. He scored on a three-run homer by 22-year-old rookie Spencer Torkelson, who is touted as the next big thing in Detroit and has taken over as the Tigers’ regular 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 curtain call, waving to fans who had been rewarded with the highlight they came to see. Cabrera, however, wasn’t quite done. He added a two-run single in the sixth, exited for a pinch-runner and drew another huge cheer. A two-time AL MVP, a Triple Crown winner and an 11-time All-Star with four batting titles, Miggy’s place among the Major League Baseball greats already was assured long before this afternoon in Detroit. As a 20-year-old rookie, Cabrera helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series championship.
