The 39-year-old Venezuelan, in his 20th season, becomes the 33rd player to reach this milestone in Major League Baseball’s 119-year history.
The hit, which hails from the Rockies and fellow Venezuelan Antonio Senzatela, comes to another career milestone in a season – Cabrera’s 500th home race.
After the hard grounder on the right, with a runner on first base, Cabrera raised his right arm skyward and pumped his fist on his way to first. He then exchanged a hug with Rockie shortstop Jose Iglesias, a friend and former Tigers teammate.
Cabrera, along with Henry Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray, is the only player in history to have 3,000 career hits and 500 home runs.
“Watching Miguel grow from a teenager hitting practice on the neighborhood fields in Venezuela to one of the greatest players in baseball history has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” said Al Avila, executive vice president and general manager the tiger. said in a statement.
“His humility, passion for fun and genuine love for the city of Detroit are unmatched, and joining the 3,000 hit club only reinforces his standing as one of the game’s all-time greats.”
Tigers Chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch said, “I thank Miguel for an exciting Hall of Fame-caliber career in our goal of making baseball the all-time championship for Tigers fans.”
Cabrera hit a two-run single in the sixth inning for his 3.001. Hit before leaving the game for a pinch of runner.
Now Cabrera is just one double away from earning a place as one of the game’s top hitters – becoming only the third player in MLB history with 3,000 hits, 500 home runs and 600 doubles in his career.
Cabrera is an 11-time All-Star, four-time batting champion, and two-time American League MVP.
In 2012, Cabrera became the first player to win the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 after leading the American League in home runs, RBIs and batting averages.
A native of Maracay, a city in north-central Venezuela near the Caribbean coast, Cabrera was 20 years old when he made his big league debut with the Florida Marlins in 2003. The Marlins won the World Series that year.