Cabrera 33rd to join 3,000-hit club
DETROIT — 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 13-0 rout of the Rockies in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
Cabrera immediately raised his right arm as he headed toward first base. The crowd of 37,566 at Comerica Park gave him a rousing ovation and chanted “Miggy! Miggy!” while fireworks were shot off from beyond the center field fence.
“I was like, ‘Get it done today,’ ” Cabrera said.
The milestone hit came on a 1-1 pitch from Antonio Senzatela, a fellow Venezuelan. Rockies shortstop Jose 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.
“I’m happy I hit it here. I’m happy for the people of Detroit to see it. Hopefully I can get more hits here,” Cabrera said.
He 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.
Cabrera wasn’t quite done. He added a two-run single in the sixth, exited for a pinch-runner and drew another huge cheer.
In the nightcap, Cabrera kept moving up the chart with a bloop single in the first inning. The Rockies won that game, 3-2, as Cabrera finished the day with 3,002 career hits.