Detroit Tigers fans livid after Yankees intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera one hit from 3,000
The stage was set for something special at Comerica Park.
Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera, one hit away from 3,000, stepped to the plate with runners on second and third with two outs with a 1-0 lead.
The hometown fans, waiting with anticipation, along with cut ins across the country on a couple of television networks.
None of that mattered to Aaron Boone.
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The New York Yankees manager elected to intentionally walk Cabrera with left-hander Lucas Luetge on the mound and no one warming up in the bullpen. The move sent the Comerica Park crowd into a frenzy.
It's the right move strategically. But those looking to witness rare baseball history were far from happy with the Bronx Bombers, who ended up losing to the Tigers, 3-0.
There’s a new public enemy No. 1 in Detroit.
After Jeimer Candelario grounds into a 1-2-3 double play, manager Aaron Boone intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera with first base open.
The fans are irate, all on their feet chanting “Yankees suck”. pic.twitter.com/ZByWT2JEJv— Tony Garcia (@RealTonyGarcia) April 21, 2022
Screw you Aaron Boone.
— Teej. (@TJLang70) April 21, 2022
F$&@ The @Yankees and @AaronBoone Why wouldn’t you pitch to my boy @MiguelCabrera ???? That’s why Austin Meadows just hit a 2 run stand up double!!!!!!!
— Braylon Edwards (@OfficialBraylon) April 21, 2022
Crowd is chanting Yank-ees suck! Yank-ees suck! They're fired up and upset.
— Larry Lage (@LarryLage) April 21, 2022
They freaking walked him… 😒 pic.twitter.com/D5qxk34pBy
— Mike Sullivan (@MikeSullivan) April 21, 2022
Boos could not be louder as Aaron Boone asks for an intentional walk to Cabrera in his 8th inning AB pic.twitter.com/bqpHvJbDjE
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) April 21, 2022
Boone said after the game the decision to walk Cabrera was far from easy.
Aaron Boone in walking Miggy pic.twitter.com/RvLFHop0ef
— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) April 21, 2022
After the walk, left-handed hitter Austin Meadows looped the next pitch into center for a two-run double, lifting the Tigers to a 3-0 win.
Cabrera, on his way back to the dugout, tried to let the fans know he didn't mind the decision, pointing to the scoreboard and showing three fingers for the Tigers' 3-0 lead.
He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, but postgame was in a jovial mood, happy for the win and that his on-base percentage rose with the intentional walk.
We hear from a giddy Miguel Cabrera after he stays stuck at 2,999 hits but gets a victory over the Yankees, who intentionally walk him in his final at-bat. #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/vSWw4ZlWBq
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) April 21, 2022
[ Miguel Cabrera is chasing history, but his main concern now: Tigers are struggling ]
All in all, a win for karma and the Tigers.
If you don’t believe in Baseball Gods… Here’s your proof they exist.
Miguel Cabrera, sitting 1 hit away from 3000, was intentionally walked to load the bases.
THIS is what happened next.
pic.twitter.com/cLf7kFmxxa— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) April 21, 2022
Contact Kirkland Crawford: kcrawford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers fans livid after Yankees intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera