Since he arrived in a deal with the Miami Marlins back on December 4, 2007, it’s been a truism that as Miguel Cabrera goes, so go the Detroit Tigers. So far in 2021, the club is two for two when Cabrera hits a home run. His first was the artful snow globe home run on Opening Day at Comerica Park. We could sure use some more, and on Tuesday night, he delivered again.
Cabrera unloaded on a 94 mph Lucas Giolito fastball in the first inning of a contest with the Chicago White Sox. The shot was the 489th of his storied career, and it had plenty of authority behind it. With an exit velocity of 110.2 mph, Cabrera blasted this one 445 feet into the seats in deep left centerfield.
The home run was also the 2871st hit of his career. The 3000 hits plateau is certainly within sight, but will probably have to wait until next season. But for now, the push to 500 home runs is in motion again, and Cabrera is also creeping up on some big names on the all-time home runs leaderboard.
.@MiguelCabrera hits career home run No. 489. He’s now four homers shy of tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 28th place in MLB history.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) April 28, 2021
Of course, home run number 489 matters more because the Tigers managed to win the game and stop a dreadful losing skid. They couldn’t hold the slim lead Cabrera gave them, but a lifeless offense over the past three series seemed to have a little spark as a result. For the 2021 Tigers’ sake, as well as his own march into the record books and ultimately Cooperstown, let’s hope he’s got plenty more to come this year.
Thanks to our friends over at Motor City Bengals for pulling the Dan Dickerson call as well.