Miguel CabreraThe pursuit of baseball history will not end after a controversial free day.
Cabrera was able to reach the 33rd position in Major League history with just one hit. Intentionally walked in the eighth innings Thursday. Detroit Tigers‘3-0 win over the New York Yankees.
Cabrera made his final plate appearance for the afternoon, striking out in each of his two next at-bats.
Cabrera was supposed to bat again in eighth with two outs. But the Yankees and Aaron Boone decided to walk Cabrera, two-time MVP, intentionally loading the bases and setting up an lefty-lefty matchup at Detroit's. Austin Meadows against New York southpaw Lucas Luetge.
Cabrera was not upset about the Yankees' decision. He told reporters “it is baseball” and noted that he missed three of his precious chances to reach the 3,000-hit milestone.
The crowd at Comerica Park protested the intentional walk loudly, booing and singing “Yankees suckers” as Cabrera got his free pass to first. When Meadows scored a two-run double, Detroit took a 3-0 lead.
According to MLB.com, Cabrera stated that “I know history's very important.” “But, we have to win first. It's not all about me. It's all about the team.”
Cabrera's chance at 3,000 hits comes Friday when the Tigers open a three game home series against The Tigers Colorado Rockies.
Cabrera, 39 years old, aims to be the seventh player with at least 3,000 hits and 500 runs in MLB history. He also would become the first Venezuelan-born and seventh Latino to reach the 3,000-hit mark, a list that includes Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Rod Carew, as well as Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodríguez, Adrián Beltré and Albert Pujols.
