Sunday’s game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians helped baseball fans say goodbye to two legends: Guards manager Terry Francona and Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera.
The game was a roller-coaster of emotions at Comerica Park.
Cabrera started the game as the designated hitter, but manager A.J. Hinch had him field first base in the eighth inning.
After he made an unassisted out, he was removed from the game having made his last defensive play.
That marked the start of a huge standing ovation for one of the most prominent Tigers in recent history.
“This is how you send off a legend! @MiguelCabrera walks off the field for the final time to a rousing ovation in Detroit!” MLB tweeted.
This is how you send off a legend!@MiguelCabrera walks off the field for the final time to a rousing ovation in Detroit! 👏 pic.twitter.com/A5WICHZnZx
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2023
An emotional Cabrera hugged just about every one of his teammates on his way out.
The future Tigers special assistant to the president of baseball operations had an amazing career, even if his walk year wasn’t that good (.675 OPS).
He had a bad back and had declined as a hitter for a few years now, yet he managed to retire with an average over .300 (.306) and an OPS over .900 (.901).
He also said goodbye with 627 career doubles and 511 home runs.
Those achievements are only proof of how dominant he was in his prime, a long period that ranged from 2004 to 2016.
The man won two MVP awards, four batting titles, seven Silver Slugger awards, multiple All-Star berths, and the 2012 Triple Crown, the last one achieved by a hitter.
He was sent off appropriately by fans and his fellow players.
Sunday was a day he probably won’t forget.
NEXT: Graphic Recalls Miguel Cabrera's Historic Prime
