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Miguel Cabrera named special assistant to Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations
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- Miguel Cabrera named special assistant to Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations
Miguel Cabrera isn't leaving the Detroit Tigers .
After Sunday's final game, Cabrera will begin his new role within the organization as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations. The Tigers announced Cabrera's impending career change — from player to special assistant — before Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park.
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"It's something nice," Cabrera said Friday. "I'm looking forward to next year and seeing what I can do for my ex-teammates. ... Right now, I'm focused on my retirement. After that, I'm going to focus on what I can do next year for the team."
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Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera swings against Athletics during the eighth inning at Comerica Park on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
Cabrera, 40, will retire Sunday after the 2023 season.
The 12-time All-Star has 3,170 hits and 511 home runs, plus a .306 batting average, with three games remaining in his 21-year playing career. Cabrera ranks 16th in hits and tied for 25th in home runs on MLB's all-time lists.
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"It's been incredible to watch Miggy passing names on the all-time leaderboards, but even more impressive to see how he's handled the attention behind the scenes," Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Friday in a statement. "It's no secret that the personal spotlight isn't super comfortable to Miggy, and there's something to be said about the humility he carries each and every day even when fans across the league are chanting his name while wearing another team's jersey on their backs.
"Lessons like how to deal with praise and pressure are exactly what we want him teaching players throughout our organization. I'm honored to have him as part of our staff and know he will continue to make the Tigers better in his new role."
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Cabrera, who came from Venezuela and signed to play professional baseball in July 1999, spent five seasons with the Florida Marlins (2003-07) and 16 seasons with the Tigers (2008-23).
He is a World Series champion (2003), two-time American League MVP (2012, 2013), Triple Crown winner (2013) and four-time batting champ (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015). He is the best baseball player in Venezuelan history.
"He's already giving out orders and barking out requests and making sure that we're all going to be held accountable," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "His role with our young players, coaches and entire organization is going to be immense. ... He's going to be celebrated in the years to come, and rightfully so, but I think he wants to get into the trenches on how to make us better and better every year."
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and Miguel Cabrera talk in the dugout before game action on Fiesta Tigres between the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
He will join five other Tigers with special assistant roles: Kirk Gibson, Willie Horton, Jim Leyland, Lance Parrish and Alan Trammell. Trammell, who played 20 seasons for the Tigers, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
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"My father (Mike Ilitch) was incredibly fond of Miggy and made sure he was a Tiger for the remainder of his playing career," Tigers chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch said Friday in a statement. "We're thrilled to extend our relationship into the next chapter of his life. While it may be the end of an era, it's a new beginning as Miguel will continue to pass along his baseball wisdom, culture-shaping values, and mentorship to the next generation of Tigers players, who can aspire to the level of greatness that Miguel has achieved."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Miguel Cabrera's new job: Special assistant to Detroit Tigers' Scott Harris
