Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera has had many funny moments throughout his baseball career, but perhaps the best came with Adrián Beltré. No one was more annoyed by the touch on the Dominican third baseman’s head than the Tigers hitmaker. This is something I’ve always tried to do.
When Cabrera reached first base at Dodger Stadium on Monday night after hitting his 3,166th. After scoring goals, tied for 16th all-time, it was fun to remember the interactions they had with each other on a baseball field.
Cabrera couldn’t joke with Beltré on Monday, but he still managed to have fun with someone on Monday. He yelled at Mookie Betts, who stumbled trying to catch Cabrera’s line drive toward the right field line. Betts smiled and shrugged. Freddie Freeman hugged him as he arrived at first base.
After a summer in which he surpassed one legend after another – Dave Winfield, Alex Rodriguez, Tony Gwynn, Robtin Yount and most recently George Brett – this spot holds a special place for him. With Cal Ripken Jr. next on the list, 18 goals behind, Cabrera will likely end his career in 16th place.
Before Monday’s game, Cabrera received another parting gift from the Dodgers: a Star of Fame. It was the second gift the Venezuelan received in three days. On Saturday he received a surfboard from the Angels, and Dominican Albert Pujols and Mike Trout took part in the presentation.
“(Pujols) was harassing me and telling me, ‘Go, go!'” Cabrera said. “He wanted me to jump on the floor and swim on the board.”
After this series, Cabrera will return to Detroit to play his final week as a major league player at Comerica Park, culminating in a weekend of honors. On the athletic side, Cabrera finished the month of September solid, hitting .350 (14 for 40) with seven RBIs.
“I always prepare to do the best,” he commented. “With my punches, I know I can’t do the same things I did before, but I always go out there to compete. I always want to send a message to my colleagues; “It doesn’t matter if we lose or win, you have to go out there and compete hard.”
