Miguel Cabrera's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Miguel Cabrera. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
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.
1917: Ty Cobb's Batting Titles
In 1917, Ty Cobb was on his way to winning three consecutive batting titles.
1919: Ty Cobb's Batting Titles
In 1919, Ty Cobb completed his streak of three consecutive batting titles.
1920: Rogers Hornsby's Batting Titles
In 1920, Rogers Hornsby began his run of at least three consecutive batting titles.
1920: Start of Official MLB RBI Statistic
RBI became an official statistic in MLB in 1920.
1920: Start of Live-Ball Era
Since 1920, the start of the Live-Ball Era, Miguel Cabrera is only the second right-handed batter to win at least four AL batting titles, joining Harry Heilmann.
1925: Ty Cobb's Hit Streak
In 1925, Ty Cobb set the longest hit streak by any major league player age 38 or older.
1934: Lou Gehrig Wins Triple Crown
In 1934, Lou Gehrig won the Triple Crown before Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
1935: Hank Greenberg MVP Award
In 1935, Hank Greenberg won the MVP award.
1937: Hank Greenberg's Home Run Seasons
In 1937, Hank Greenberg began a streak of consecutive 40 home run seasons.
1940: Hank Greenberg MVP Award
In 1940, Hank Greenberg won the MVP award.
1941: Ted Williams Sporting News Player of the Year
In 1941, Ted Williams was named Sporting News Player of the Year.
1952: Walt Dropo's Hit Streak
In 1952, Walt Dropo had hits in 12 straight plate appearances, tying the MLB record.
1966: Frank Robinson Wins Triple Crown
In 1966, Frank Robinson won the Triple Crown before Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
1967: Carl Yastrzemski Wins Triple Crown
In 1967, Carl Yastrzemski won the Triple Crown before Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
1975: Joe Morgan Sporting News Player of the Year
In 1975, Joe Morgan was named Sporting News Player of the Year.
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.
1985: Wade Boggs' Batting Titles
In 1985, Wade Boggs began his run of at least three consecutive batting titles.
1990: Cecil Fielder's Home Run Seasons
In 1990, Cecil Fielder began a streak of consecutive 40 home run seasons.
1993: Frank Thomas MVP Award
In 1993, Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox won the MVP award.
1994: Frank Thomas MVP Award
In 1994, Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox won the MVP award.
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.
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.
2006: Cabrera Plays in World Baseball Classic
Before the 2006 MLB season, Miguel Cabrera represented Venezuela in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
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.
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.
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).
July 2008: AL Player of the Month
Miguel Cabrera previously won top player honors in July 2008
2008: Albert Pujols Sporting News Player of the Year
In 2008, Albert Pujols was named Sporting News Player of the Year.
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: Cabrera Selected for 2009 World Baseball Classic
Miguel Cabrera was selected to play for Venezuela at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
2010: AL MVP Runner-Up
In 2010, Miguel Cabrera finished second in the AL MVP voting to Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers.
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.
August 2012: AL Player of the Month
Miguel Cabrera previously won top player honors in August 2012
October 27, 2012: Hank Aaron Award
On October 27, 2012, Miguel Cabrera was awarded the AL Hank Aaron Award.
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: 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: 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.
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: AL Player of the Month
In 2013, Miguel Cabrera was named American League Player of the Month for August.
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: Cabrera Plays at 2013 World Baseball Classic
Miguel Cabrera played at the 2013 World Baseball Classic tournament.
2013: AL Batting Titles
Miguel Cabrera won four AL batting titles, including three in consecutive years, ending in 2013.
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: Gold Glove Nomination
On October 23, Miguel Cabrera was announced as a finalist for the American League Gold Glove Award for first base for 2014, marking his first nomination for the accolade.
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 Plays at 2017 World Baseball Classic
Miguel Cabrera played at the 2017 World Baseball Classic tournament.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2023: Cabrera Plays at 2023 World Baseball Classic
Miguel Cabrera played at the 2023 World Baseball Classic tournament.
