Detroit's Cabrera finishes career on his terms where he belongs
One of my dogs name is Miggy, circa 2012.
Her namesake, Miguel Cabrera, almost finished his career Sunday in Detroit for the Tigers without this column. Until I found out several journalists were kicking man's best friend right in the face when they got home.
The close of Cabrera's career was a time to criticize the Tigers lack of winning the last seven years. Cabrera signed an eight-year contract for $248 million in 2014, with two years remaining on his deal at the time.
Most people made their decision about the wisdom of the contract when it was inked. Of course Cabrera would be overpaid in the final years because nobody rakes at 38.
Whether it would prevent moves because Cabrera took up all the money is arguable. Little Caesars is doing well and the Ilitches will spend when the team is ready to win, when there still will be no guarantees of top-level success in baseball.
Cabrera's designated hitter limitations did clog things up in ways, but it's possible Chris Ilitch would have spent more if the team was ready with Cabrera.
You either believed the Tigers made a mistake with the contract. Or you didn't care.
In an imaginary trade, give me the first nine years of Miggy's career in Detroit with the understanding the next seven would be difficult. That would be a baseball fleecing.
Cabrera batted .306 with 3,174 hits and 1,881 RBIs in 2,797 games over 21 seasons. He, Hank Aaron and Albert Pujols are the only players in the 500 home runs, 3,000 hits and 600 doubles club.
Cabrera hit 511 home runs and 627 doubles, including three in two games in the final series at 40. That must have been fun, and fans in Detroit packed the house to enjoy watching.
He didn't talk much about himself for us to digest. He talked about winning all the time, which the Tigers did his final game.
He captured a Triple Crown in 2012. He was American League MVP in 2012 and 2013 and won four batting titles between 2011 and 2015.
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He didn't get a World Series ring to add to his collection from Miami in 2003. Two seasons later, Cabrera's career began a decline because he couldn't stay healthy.
That is the regret of Cabrera's career, but not as he aged. It's the fact Cabrera was a shell of himself as a hitter in the postseason on his best teams in Detroit.
We're likely to hear more one day about what he played through during his career. If we hear the stories.
Still, it wasn't Cabrera's fault the Tigers lost to the Giants or Red Sox. Former general manager Al Avila constructed the roster for most of the last seven years.
Some people say the Tigers would have been better off giving up on Cabrera at just about any point prior to Sunday. Like he was destroying the home, or he was just another player.
If that happens to a legendary icon, it's no wonder the animal shelters are overcrowded with dogs and cats. Sentimental and loyal and emotional and respectful aren't things some people do, especially at the same time.
To them, the return and risk of Cabrera continuously outweighed the reward more and more.
Others like to keep their dogs. Especially after they guarded the yard and made play time so much fun.
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The last seven seasons wasn't something that had to be endured by fans. New tricks aren't for old baseball dogs either.
Go ahead, curl up on the rug. There are no stains.
You're one of us, we love you.
Cabrera feels the same way, remaining with the team as a special assistant from here.
Deceased Detroit owner Mike Ilitch tried to keep the Red Wings together too long. Mistakes were made.
He made sure Cabrera finished his career in Detroit. He lost some of his bite, but it's far from the same thing.
Ilitch knew players like Cabrera are even more rare than the World Series Ilitch coveted. He made it a permanent adoption.
Cabrera's opposite field home run in his final week didn't make me angry at the Tigers because there weren't more of them. It reminded me of Miggy's majesty.
It made me appreciate he did it in a Tigers uniform. It had to be with Detroit.
We shared so much joy, along with the World Series pain, Cabrera's departure to another family would only have left another lingering void in fans' hearts. You know what I mean if you've ever lost a pet too soon.
Thankfully, Detroit still has Cabrera.
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
X: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Miguel Cabrera caps career with bond to Detroit Tigers intact
