Miguel Cabrera's final Detroit Tigers game ends with nice play on defense: Highlights

Miguel Cabrera suits up for the Detroit Tigers for the last time Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians in the 2023 season finale.

First pitch is at 3:10 p.m. from Comerica Park, televised on Bally Sports Detroit and MLB.tv for free.

Cabrera arrived two hours before the game to a big crowd waiting for him to walk into the clubhouse. In typical Miggy fashion, he coolly walked through the crowd, stopped to dap up and hug Craig Monroe and Willie Horton. The legends were lined up for a chance to see Cabrera in his final moments as a player.

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Follow along for live updates on Cabrera’s final at-bats:

8th inning: Cabrera finishes the game at first base

Cabrera picked up his glove and went out to first base, as he did for so many years in Detroit. Cabrera started the game at DH, like he did for most of his final years but A.J. Hinch put him at his primary position for one final time. Cabrera went out onto the diamond and his teammates stayed in the dugout, letting the Comerica crowd honor the legend one final time.

Miggy only had one play in the field, but the ball came directly to him. Cabrera calmly fielded the grounder and ran to the bag for the out with his fists in the air. It ended up being the final play of Cabrera's 20-year, Hall-of-Fame career, who was pulled out to be honored after the play.

Cabrera shook hands with ever Tigers teammate and coach. He then turned to the crowd and raised his arms in thanks and then tapped his heart before finally breaking into tears leaving the field for the final time.

Bottom of the 7th inning: Cabrera walks on four straight pitches in final at-bat

The Comerica Crowd park raised to its feet and cheered loudly for Cabrera as he entered the batter's box, sensing it could be the final at-bat of his career. Cleveland reliever Enyel De Los Santos could not find the strike zone fresh out of the bullpen, though, and walked Cabrera on four straight pitches.

Tigers fans showered De Los Santos with boos before quickly switching to loud cheers for Cabrera as he trotted to first base. Kerry Carpenter grounded into a double play next at-bat and Cabrera slowly walked off the infield to another round of applause and "Miggy" chants.

Bottom of the 4th inning: Cabrera pops out to end inning

Cabrera came to the plate with runners on first and second and two outs. After chasing a changeup to start the plate appearance, he finally put a ball in play but got underneath it and popped up in the infield. Cabrera is now 0-3 on the day but the Tigers offense is still humming along. Detroit leads 3-1.

Bottom of the 3rd inning: Cabrera strikes out again on three pitches

Cabrera led off the inning after the Tigers' offense was able to get to Lucas Giolito for the 2-0 lead. The entire crowd at Comerica Park rose to their feet again, living and dying with every strike call. Giolito attacked Cabrera with three fastballs around the zone and got Miggy to foul off or swing and chase on all of them for his second strikeout.

Bottom of the 1st inning: Cabrera strikes out in first at-bat

The crowd at Comerica Park all rose to its feet and got the loudest it has all season as Cabrera slowly walked to the batter's box for his first at-bat. Cabrera's three kids introduced him to a rousing applause and got Cabrera to crack a smile before he dug in to the batter's box.

Cabrera stepped in with runners on first and second and no outs after the Tigers started with a walk and single. Cabrera began the at-bat with a checked swing strike as the crowd started to chant "Miggy" between pitches. Lucas Giolito stayed in front of him all at-bat and got Cabrera to chase a slider outside the zone for the third strike.

Sunday is a celebration of the two-time MVP, four-time hitting champion and triple crown winner’s illustrious career in Detroit. Cabrera became the 28th player in MLB history with 3000 hits and 500 home runs and will be remembered as one of the best hitters of the 21st century.

Cabrera, 40, has 3,173 hits and 511 home runs, plus a .306 batting average entering the final game of his 21-year playing career. Cabrera ranks 16th in hits and tied for 25th in home runs on MLB's all-time lists.

Cabrera will hit third as the DH in front of a sold out crowd at Comerica Park. Club legends like Jim Leyland and Alan Trammell are also in town to watch Cabrera’s final outing and welcome him into his new role with the club.

The Tigers announced Friday that Cabrera will have a job in the front office post-retirement as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations. Cabrera will join former Tigers’ Leyland, Trammell, Kirk Gibson, Horton and Lance Parrish in the role.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Miguel Cabrera's final Detroit Tigers game: Highlights, recap