Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Miguel Cabrera
Discover the career path of Miguel Cabrera, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Miguel Cabrera, a Venezuelan former professional baseball player, had an illustrious 21-season MLB career with the Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers. A two-time AL MVP, four-time AL batting champion, and 12-time All-Star, Cabrera primarily played first and third base after initially playing in the outfield. Notably, he achieved the 17th MLB Triple Crown in 2012, a feat unmatched for 45 seasons. Cabrera is one of only three players with a career batting average over .300, 500+ home runs, and 3,000+ hits, placing him among baseball's elite alongside Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.
1980: Introduction of Silver Slugger Award
Since the introduction of the Silver Slugger award in 1980, Miguel Cabrera is one of 14 Major League players to have won seven or more Silver Slugger awards.
December 1999: First Hit as Professional
In December 1999, at 16 years old, Cabrera recorded his first hit as a professional in the Venezuelan Winter League playing for Tigres de Aragua.
1999: Signed by the Marlins
In 1999, Miguel Cabrera was signed by the Marlins as an amateur free agent, beginning his journey through their farm system.
2000: Started Professional Career
In 2000, Miguel Cabrera began his professional career as a shortstop in the Gulf Coast League (GCL).
June 20, 2003: Major League Debut
On June 20, 2003, Miguel Cabrera made his major league debut, hitting a walk-off home run in his first game.
2003: MLB Debut
In 2003, Miguel Cabrera debuted in Major League Baseball, marking the beginning of his professional career.
2003: Promotion to Double-A
In 2003, Miguel Cabrera earned a promotion to the Double-A Carolina Mudcats, continuing his progress in the minor leagues.
2003: World Series Win
In 2003, Miguel Cabrera's postseason play helped propel the Florida Marlins to win the World Series.
2003: MLB Debut and World Series Victory
In 2003, at the age of 20, Miguel Cabrera made his MLB debut and contributed to the Florida Marlins' World Series victory later that year.
2003: Previous World Series Home Run
Miguel Cabrera's previous World Series home run came in 2003 during his rookie year with the Marlins, prior to his home run in the 2012 World Series.
April 20, 2004: 100th Career Hit
On April 20, 2004, Miguel Cabrera recorded his 100th career hit, which was an RBI single against Roberto Hernández. He also earned his first All-Star appearance in 2004.
2004: Consecutive Seasons Driving Runs
Miguel Cabrera drove in over 100 runs in 12 separate seasons, including 11 consecutive seasons starting in 2004.
2005: Second All-Star Game and Silver Slugger Award
In 2005, Miguel Cabrera finished second in the National League in hits, was voted to his second consecutive All-Star Game, and won his first Silver Slugger Award.
June 22, 2006: Intentional Walk Single
On June 22, 2006, Miguel Cabrera singled on an attempted intentional walk, scoring the winning run for the Marlins.
2006: Position Change
Before 2006, Miguel Cabrera primarily played left and right field. This year marked a transition in his career as he started spending more time at first and third base.
2006: World Baseball Classic
From 2006 to 2023, Miguel Cabrera represented Venezuela at five World Baseball Classic tournaments.
2006: All-Star Game and Silver Slugger Award
In 2006, Miguel Cabrera was selected for his third consecutive All-Star Game and won his second Silver Slugger Award. He also battled for the National League batting crown, ultimately finishing second.
February 17, 2007: Arbitration Hearing Win
On February 17, 2007, Miguel Cabrera won his arbitration hearing, securing a one-year contract worth $7.4 million.
September 15, 2007: Fourth Consecutive 100-RBI Season and Grand Slam
On September 15, 2007, Miguel Cabrera recorded his 100th RBI for the fourth consecutive year and hit his first career grand slam.
December 5, 2007: Trade to the Detroit Tigers
On December 5, 2007, the Marlins traded Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers.
2007: Alex Rodriguez's Contract
In 2007, Alex Rodriguez signed a contract worth $275 million.
2007: Player of the Week
In 2007, Miguel Cabrera won the NL Player of the Week twice, first from April 1 to 8, and again from June 4 to 10. He also set career highs in both home runs (34) and runs batted in (119).
March 22, 2008: Contract Extension with the Tigers
On March 22, 2008, Miguel Cabrera reached an agreement with the Tigers on an eight-year, $152.3 million contract extension.
March 31, 2008: Tigers Debut
On March 31, 2008, Miguel Cabrera made his Tigers debut, hitting a solo home run in his third at-bat. Later in the season, he moved to first base.
2008: Trade to Detroit Tigers
Before the 2008 season, Miguel Cabrera was traded to the Detroit Tigers, marking a new chapter in his MLB career.
2008: AL Home Run Champion
In 2008, Miguel Cabrera finished the season with a career-high 37 home runs, leading the American League. He also established a new career high in RBIs (127).
August 23, 2009: 200th Career Home Run
On August 23, 2009, Miguel Cabrera hit his 200th career home run, becoming only the fourth Venezuelan player to reach that milestone.
2009: Batting Average and RBI
Across the 2009 season, Cabrera posted a .324 batting average, which was fourth in the AL. He also had 103 RBI on the season, marking the sixth straight year he attained the 100 RBI mark.
2010: High Ankle Sprain
On September 26, 2010, Miguel Cabrera suffered a high ankle sprain in a game against the Cleveland Indians and was shut down for the season. Despite the injury, Cabrera ended the 2010 season with a .328 batting average, 38 home runs, and 126 RBIs. He also led AL first basemen in errors, with 13.
September 2011: Dominant September Performance and ALCS Appearance
In September 2011, Miguel Cabrera propelled the Tigers into the playoffs with a .429 batting average, six home runs, and 21 RBIs. In the 2011 ALCS, Cabrera hit .400 with three home runs, but the Tigers lost to the Texas Rangers in six games.
2011: All-Star Selection and 1,500th Career Hit
In 2011, Miguel Cabrera was named to his second AL All-Star team and collected his 1,500th career hit on July 15 against the Chicago White Sox. During the 2011 season, he won the AL batting title, led the AL in on-base percentage and doubles, and led all AL first basemen in errors.
2011: First Batting Title
In 2011, Miguel Cabrera won his first of three consecutive AL batting titles, marking a significant achievement in his career.
2012: Comparison to Triple Crown Season
As of the 2013 All-Star break, Cabrera was considerably ahead of the pace he set during his 2012 Triple Crown season at the same point.
2012: Cabrera Begins The Miguel Cabrera Foundation
In 2012, Miguel Cabrera began The Miguel Cabrera Foundation to help a variety of children's funds. He also used his foundation to encourage young kids to play baseball and softball.
2012: MLB Triple Crown
In 2012, Miguel Cabrera claimed the 17th MLB Triple Crown, becoming the first player in 45 seasons to achieve this milestone.
2012: Move to Third Base and Injury
In 2012, Miguel Cabrera moved back to third base after the signing of Prince Fielder. During spring training, Cabrera was struck below the eye by a ground ball, breaking a bone, but recovered to play on opening day.
2012: Triple Crown and MVP Award
In 2012, Miguel Cabrera won the batting Triple Crown, leading the AL with a .330 batting average, 44 home runs, and 139 RBIs. He was also awarded the AL MVP award for that year.
2012: World Series Loss
In Game 4 of the 2012 World Series, Miguel Cabrera hit his first World Series home run since 2003, but struck out as the final out, completing the San Francisco Giants' sweep of the Tigers.
July 9, 2013: 350th Career Home Run
On July 9, 2013, Miguel Cabrera hit his 350th career home run, against the Chicago White Sox.
2013: Cabrera Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
In 2013, Miguel Cabrera was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, honoring the MLB player who best represents baseball on and off the field.
2013: Second Consecutive MVP Award
In 2013, despite battling injuries, Miguel Cabrera improved upon his previous year's batting performance, achieving a career-high .348 batting average, and received his second consecutive AL MVP award.
2013: AL Batting Titles
Miguel Cabrera won four AL batting titles, including three in consecutive years, ending in 2013.
March 28, 2014: Contract Extension
On March 28, 2014, the Tigers announced that Miguel Cabrera had signed an eight-year contract extension worth $248 million.
2014: 2,000th Career Hit and All-Star Game
In 2014, Miguel Cabrera achieved his 2,000th career hit on April 4 and was selected to start at first base for the American League at the All-Star Game on July 6, hitting a home run in the game.
2014: Return to First Base
In 2014, with the departure of Prince Fielder, the Tigers announced that Miguel Cabrera would return to first base.
2014: Consecutive Seasons Driving Runs
Miguel Cabrera drove in over 100 runs in 12 separate seasons, including 11 consecutive seasons ending in 2014.
2014: Season Stats
Miguel Cabrera finished the 2014 regular season with a .313 batting average, 25 home runs, 109 RBI, a league-leading 52 doubles, and led both leagues with 11 sacrifice flies.
May 16, 2015: 400th Career Home Run
On May 16, 2015, Miguel Cabrera hit his 400th career home run against Tyler Lyons of the St. Louis Cardinals, becoming the all-time leader in home runs among Venezuelan-born players.
2015: All-Star Selection and RBI Record
In 2015, Miguel Cabrera was selected to start at first base for the American League at the All-Star Game, but was unable to play due to injury. Later, on August 16, he surpassed Andrés Galarraga for the most RBIs by a Venezuelan-born player.
2015: Cabrera wins fourth AL batting title
In 2015, Miguel Cabrera's .338 batting average led the major leagues, earning him his fourth AL batting title in the last five years. Despite this achievement, his streak of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 25 home runs and 100 RBIs ended.
2016: Cabrera's 2016 Season Statistics
In 2016, Miguel Cabrera finished the season with a .316 batting average, 38 home runs, 31 doubles, and 108 RBIs. He also tied for the most intentional walks in the AL with 15.
2016: Cabrera Wins Silver Slugger Award
Miguel Cabrera won the AL Silver Slugger Award for first basemen in 2016, marking his seventh Silver Slugger Award overall.
2017: Cabrera reaches milestones amidst ailments in 2017
In 2017, plagued by back ailments and stiffness, Miguel Cabrera was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right groin strain, recorded his 450th career home run, his 1,000th career extra-base hit and his 1,600th career RBI.
2017: Cabrera diagnosed with herniated discs in 2017
On September 24, 2017, Miguel Cabrera was diagnosed with two herniated discs in his back. He finished the 2017 season with a career-low .249 batting average and a career-low .399 slugging percentage.
2019: Cabrera's Knee Issues in 2019
In 2019, Miguel Cabrera struggled with knee issues, leading the Tigers to move him into a full-time designated hitter role by early June. His .398 slugging percentage for the year was the lowest of his career.
August 29, 2020: Cabrera Passes Charlie Gehringer on All-Time Hits List
On August 29, 2020, Miguel Cabrera collected three hits in a game against the Minnesota Twins, passing former Tiger Charlie Gehringer for 50th on the all-time MLB hits list with 2,841.
2020: Cabrera's 2020 Season Performance
During the shortened 2020 season, Miguel Cabrera hit .250 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs. He ranked high in doubles, total bases, RBIs, and home runs at season's end.
April 1, 2021: Cabrera Records 350th Home Run and 2,000th Hit with Tigers
On April 1, 2021, with a home run in his first at-bat of the 2021 season, Miguel Cabrera became the second Tigers player to record 350 home runs and 2,000 hits with the team.
2021: Cabrera Batted .329 in June 2021
After posting a sub-.200 batting average through the first two months of the 2021 season, Miguel Cabrera batted .329 (28-for-85) in June. It was his first full month batting over .300 since June 2019.
2021: 500 Home Run Club
In 2021, Miguel Cabrera joined the 500 home run club, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2021: Cabrera's 2021 Season Statistics and Rankings
Miguel Cabrera finished the 2021 season with a .256 batting average, 15 home runs, and 75 RBIs, while posting career lows in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. He also had the slowest sprint speed of all major league designated hitters. At season's end, he tied for 33rd on the all-time MLB hits list.
April 23, 2022: Cabrera Records 3,000th Career Hit
On April 23, 2022, Miguel Cabrera recorded his 3,000th career hit against Antonio Senzatela of the Colorado Rockies, becoming the 33rd player in MLB history to join the 3,000-hit club.
November 2022: Cabrera Announces Possible Retirement
In November 2022, Miguel Cabrera announced that he would likely retire after the 2023 season.
2022: Cabrera's 2022 Season Statistics
For the 2022 season, Miguel Cabrera hit .254 with 5 home runs and 43 RBIs. At the end of the season, he ranked in the all-time top 25 in several hitting categories.
2022: 3,000 Hit Club
In 2022, Miguel Cabrera reached the 3,000 hit club, becoming the seventh player in MLB history to reach both the 500 home run and 3,000 hit milestones.
2022: Cabrera Milestones and All-Star Selection
In 2022, Miguel Cabrera recorded his 600th career double and was named to the MLB All-Star Game as an honorary selection. He also moved into the Top 25 on the all-time MLB hits list.
February 2023: Cabrera Confirms Retirement Plans
During spring training in February 2023, Miguel Cabrera confirmed his plans to retire following the season and expressed his desire to remain with the Tigers organization.
September 29, 2023: Cabrera to Remain with Tigers as Special Assistant
On September 29, 2023, the Tigers announced that Miguel Cabrera would remain a member of the organization as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations.
2023: Cabrera's Final Contracted Year
In November 2022, Miguel Cabrera announced that 2023 would likely be his final contracted year with the Tigers.
2023: Retirement and Special Assistant Role
Miguel Cabrera retired after the 2023 season and transitioned to a role as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations for the Tigers' organization.
