Tonight, Detroit Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera came one hit shy of reaching 3,000 for his career after a 3 for 4 performance in a losing cause against the New York Yankees.
Cabrera, who turned 39 on Monday, will get another shot at baseball immortality against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon in front of Tigers fans at Comerica Park.
Personally, I hope his 3,000th hit will be a double.
Should that come to pass it would mark his 600th career double. In other words, one out of every five of Cabrera's hits would be a two-bagger. There would be a certain poetic symmetry if Cabrera's 3,000th hit is his 600th double.
Doubles don't get the attention they deserve. They're aren't as glamorous as home runs, but they usually result in RBIs. Cabrera has led the AL in doubles twice including a career high 52 doubles in 2014.
Whenever Cabrera gets his next double, he would join Albert Pujols as the only two active players with 600 or more doubles. Pujols has 673 doubles and is fifth on the all-time list behind Tris Speaker (792), Pete Rose (746), Stan Musial (725) and Ty Cobb (724). As for other active players, the only player close to 600 doubles is Robinson Cano of the New York Mets who enters tonight with 571. After that you have Cincinnati Reds stalwart Joey Votto with 436.
Cabrera is currently 18th on the all-time doubles list and is within striking distance of Barry Bonds (601), Cal Ripken, Jr. (603) and Paul Molitor and Paul Waner (605 apiece). Next on the list would be Hank Aaron at 624 doubles.
Miggy, as he is affectionately known, is under contract with the Tigers through 2023 with vesting options in 2024 and 2025. If Cabrera stays healthy he will have an opportunity to add to his considerable resume as he needs 193 more RBI to reach 2,000 for his career.
Well, let's take it one hit at a time.
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