Yankees anger Tigers fans by denying Miguel Cabrera 3,000th hit chance
Mar 30, 2022; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) looks on from the dugout in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Yankees were not about to let history happen on their watch.
The Yankees angered Detroit Tigers fans during Thursday’s game by denying Miguel Cabrera a chance to record his 3000th career hit. Cabrera, who entered play with 2,999, got intentionally walked in the ninth inning with first base open and the Tigers nursing a 1-0 lead. The decision by the Yankees prompted loud boos from the Comerica Park faithful.
Miguel Cabrera gets intentionally walked with 2999 hits pic.twitter.com/cfWDMArDed
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 21, 2022
Comerica Park erupts in chants of “Yankees suck!” after New York intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera. #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/k4fDfHn5Im
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) April 21, 2022
On the bright side for Tigers fans, the decision instantly backfired for the Yankees. Austin Meadows, the very next batter, smacked a two-run double to plate a couple of insurance runs. Detroit then held on for the 3-0 victory.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained the decision to intentionally walk Cabrera, saying it was strictly a baseball move.
Aaron Boone on walking Miguel Cabrera on the verge of 3,000 hits: "Look, it's a baseball call all the way. But there's no doubt a little more feeling to it, understanding the situation. But in the end, you've got to go with what you think is right within the context of the game."
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) April 21, 2022
For his part, the former MVP Cabrera wasn’t too mad about the free pass, noting that the Tigers won and joking that his OBP went up.
https://twitter.com/MarlyRiveraESPN/status/1517255030079901697
It wasn’t Cabrera’s only chance on Thursday to get No. 3000th. He went 0-for-3 prior to the intentional walk. Thus in a one-run contest, it sounds like Cabrera was simply (much like Curly from “The Three Stooges”) a victim of circumstance here.
Fortunately for Detroit, Cabrera will likely still get his 3000th hit at home as the Tigers next get the Colorado Rockies for a three-game homestand. But oddly enough, the free pass for Cabrera wasn’t even the weirdest one we have seen in baseball in the last week.