Who is Miguel Cabrera?

Miguel Cabrera, born on April 18, 1983, in Maracay, Venezuela, is a celebrated Venezuelan professional baseball player known as one of the greatest hitters of his time. Cabrera debuted in the major leagues in June 2003, playing a vital role in the Florida Marlins' World Series championship that year. In December 2007, the Marlins traded Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers. Cabrera achieved the batting Triple Crown in 2012 and was named AL MVP in both 2012 and 2013. Despite some off-field issues and fluctuating performance in later years, Cabrera has remained a key player, achieving his 500th career home run in 2021 and his 3,000th hit the following year.

Which sport does Miguel Cabrera play?

Miguel Cabrera is a Venezuelan professional baseball player who was one of the premier hitters of his era. Throughout his career, he has played first baseman , third baseman, and leftfielder. Cabrera debuted in the major league in June 2003 and played a key role in the Florida’s World Series championship that season. He was later traded to the Detroit Tigers.

What teams has Miguel Cabrera played for?

Miguel Cabrera has played for two teams in his Major League Baseball career: Florida Marlins (2003–2007) Detroit Tigers (2008–present) Cabrera debuted with the Marlins in June 2003, playing a crucial role in their World Series win that year. In December 2007, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers.

What position does Miguel Cabrera usually play in baseball?

Miguel Cabrera, the Venezuelan baseball star, has played multiple positions throughout his career, including first baseman , third baseman , and left fielder .

What are some of Miguel Cabrera’s greatest achievements in baseball?

Miguel Cabrera is one of baseball's most accomplished hitters. As a 16-year-old, he signed with the Florida Marlins and debuted in the major league in 2003, playing a vital role in the team's World Series win that year. Cabrera's achievements include:

How has Miguel Cabrera influenced baseball both in Venezuela and the United States?

Miguel Cabrera , born in Maracay, Venezuela, quickly became a sought-after baseball prospect, signing with the Florida Marlins at 16. His major league debut in 2003 saw him playing a vital role in the team's World Series win. By 2004, Cabrera was a power hitter, leading the Marlins in home runs and RBIs, earning his first All-Star selection. In 2007, he joined the Detroit Tigers, where, despite off-field issues, he achieved the Triple Crown in 2012, the first in 45 years, and secured two AL MVP awards. Cabrera's influence extends from his early impact in Venezuela to his established MLB presence, marked by achievements and leadership both on and off the field.

Miguel Cabrera

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Detroit Tigers player Miguel Cabrera, wearing jersey number 24, stands on the field tipping his cap and smiling as fans applaud in the background.

Quick Facts

In full:: José Miguel Torres Cabrera

Byname:: Miggy

Born:: April 18, 1983, Maracay, Venezuela (age 43)

Awards And Honors:: World Series; Most Valuable Player (2013); Triple Crown (2012); Most Valuable Player (2012); Silver Slugger Award (x7); two-time MVP; Triple Crown; 4x batting champion; 11x All-Star; 1 World Series championship

Height/Weight:: 6 ft 4 inches, 249 lb (193 cm, 112 kg)

Miguel Cabrera

Venezuelan baseball player

Also known as: José Miguel Torres Cabrera

Written by

Adam Augustyn

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Top Questions

Who is Miguel Cabrera?
Miguel Cabrera, born on April 18, 1983, in Maracay, Venezuela, is a celebrated Venezuelan professional baseball player known as one of the greatest hitters of his time.

Cabrera debuted in the major leagues in June 2003, playing a vital role in the Florida Marlins' World Series championship that year. In December 2007, the Marlins traded Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers.

Cabrera achieved the batting Triple Crown in 2012 and was named AL MVP in both 2012 and 2013. Despite some off-field issues and fluctuating performance in later years, Cabrera has remained a key player, achieving his 500th career home run in 2021 and his 3,000th hit the following year.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Miguel Cabrera: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Which sport does Miguel Cabrera play?
Miguel Cabrera is a Venezuelan professional baseball player who was one of the premier hitters of his era. Throughout his career, he has played first baseman, third baseman, and leftfielder. Cabrera debuted in the major league in June 2003 and played a key role in the Florida’s World Series championship that season. He was later traded to the Detroit Tigers.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Miguel Cabrera: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What teams has Miguel Cabrera played for?
Miguel Cabrera has played for two teams in his Major League Baseball career:
- Florida Marlins (2003–2007)
- Detroit Tigers (2008–present)
Cabrera debuted with the Marlins in June 2003, playing a crucial role in their World Series win that year. In December 2007, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Miguel Cabrera: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What position does Miguel Cabrera usually play in baseball?
Miguel Cabrera, the Venezuelan baseball star, has played multiple positions throughout his career, including first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Miguel Cabrera: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some of Miguel Cabrera’s greatest achievements in baseball?
Miguel Cabrera is one of baseball's most accomplished hitters. As a 16-year-old, he signed with the Florida Marlins and debuted in the major league in 2003, playing a vital role in the team's World Series win that year.

Cabrera's achievements include:
- Triple Crown (2012)
- Two-time AL MVP
- World Series championship
- Seven Silver Slugger Awards
- Four-time batting champion
- 11-time All-Star selection
2 Britannica Sources
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Miguel Cabrera: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has Miguel Cabrera influenced baseball both in Venezuela and the United States?
Miguel Cabrera, born in Maracay, Venezuela, quickly became a sought-after baseball prospect, signing with the Florida Marlins at 16. His major league debut in 2003 saw him playing a vital role in the team's World Series win. By 2004, Cabrera was a power hitter, leading the Marlins in home runs and RBIs, earning his first All-Star selection.

In 2007, he joined the Detroit Tigers, where, despite off-field issues, he achieved the Triple Crown in 2012, the first in 45 years, and secured two AL MVP awards. Cabrera's influence extends from his early impact in Venezuela to his established MLB presence, marked by achievements and leadership both on and off the field.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Miguel Cabrera
2. Miguel Cabrera: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Miguel Cabrera (born April 18, 1983, Maracay, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan professional baseball player who was one of the premier hitters of his era.

As a teenager Cabrera was one of the most sought-after baseball prospects in South America. He was pursued by multiple major league franchises and ultimately signed with the Florida Marlins of the National League (NL) for $1.8 million at age 16. Cabrera made his major-league debut in June 2003 and was immediately inserted into the team’s starting lineup, playing a key role in Florida’s World Series championship later that season.

In 2004 Cabrera showed that he was one of the best power hitters in baseball by leading the Marlins in home runs (33) and runs batted in (RBIs; 112) while earning his first selection to the All-Star Game. He posted a batting average of .323 in 2005, which was the third best average in the NL that season and established Cabrera as an all-around elite hitter on the major league level. He earned an All-Star selection in 2005 as well as in the following two seasons, but his increased prominence and the salary that went with it led the cost-conscious Marlins to trade the budding superstar to the Detroit Tigers of the American League (AL) in December 2007.

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (tennis, sports)

Britannica Quiz

Great Moments in Sports Quiz

Shortly before the start of the 2008 season, the Tigers signed Cabrera to an eight-year $152.3 million contract, one of the richest in baseball history at that time. He hit 37 home runs to lead the AL during the following campaign, but the Tigers—who had the second highest payroll in baseball that year—were a disappointment, finishing in last place in the AL Central division. The Tigers rebounded in 2009, but Cabrera became a centre of controversy late in the season when police were called to a domestic disturbance between him and his wife. His subsequent on-field performance, during the team’s final two games, was flat as he went hitless in seven at-bats. No charges were filed as a result of the incident, but his maturity and leadership were questioned, and Cabrera later entered into alcohol treatment.

Despite his off-field struggles, Cabrera continued to blossom into one of baseball’s best players while on the diamond. He led the AL in RBIs in 2010 (126) and in batting average in 2011 (.344). In 2012 Cabrera became the first major-league player in 45 years to win the batting Triple Crown by leading the league in batting average (.330), home runs (44), and RBIs (139). His outstanding season helped propel the Tigers to a berth in the 2012 World Series, which the team lost to the San Francisco Giants, and earned him the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Even though he failed to capture another Triple Crown, Cabrera had an even better season in 2013, as he led the AL with a .348 batting average and a .636 slugging percentage (both career highs), while hitting 44 home runs and driving in 137 runs. For his stellar performance, Cabrera was again named the AL’s MVP, and the Tigers advanced to the AL Championship Series during the following postseason.

Cabrera’s play fell off slightly in 2014, but he still posted a .313 batting average and led the AL with 52 doubles. He led the AL with a .338 average in 2015 and had a solid 2016 campaign with 38 home runs and 108 RBIs, but the Tigers missed the playoffs in both seasons. Cabrera had a disastrous 2017 season, batting a career-low .249 average and hitting just 16 home runs as the Tigers posted the worst record in the AL (64–98). A ruptured biceps tendon limited him to appearing in just 38 games during the 2018 season. Detroit had the worst record in the league in 2019 (47–114), and Cabrera’s pedestrian play continued that year, resulting in his posting a .282 batting average while hitting just 12 home runs over 136 games. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Tigers finished with the league’s third worst record (23–35), and Cabrera had a batting average of just .250. Despite his declining production, Cabrera remained a key player for the Tigers, and in 2021 he hit his 500th career home run. The following year he recorded his 3,000th career hit.

Adam Augustyn

Miguel Cabrera

Thank you for signing up!