HOUSTON — With three singles in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park, Miguel Cabrera passed Tigers legend and Hall of Famer Al Kaline for the No. 31 spot on the all-time MLB hits list and now sits at 3,008.
Through their shared Detroit connection, Kaline and Cabrera had become very close before Kaline passed away in 2020, making it an emotional milestone. In a statement issued through the team shortly after Cabrera tied the mark, Louise Kaline, Al’s wife, issued a statement on behalf of the Kaline family.
“On behalf of the Al Kaline family, I’d like to join the Tigers in congratulating Miguel Cabrera on reaching and ultimately surpassing the 3,007 hit mark that Al achieved back in 1974,” the statement reads. “Al had often said that Miguel was the greatest hitter he’d ever seen. And I know Al would have been the first to congratulate his friend on this accomplishment with a handshake and, of course, a big hug.
“We know there will be many more milestones to come, and like all Tiger fans, we will be rooting for Miguel as he surpasses each of them during the remainder of his Hall of Fame career.”
Cabrera tied the mark in the top of the fourth inning against Astros starter José Urquidy, and he broke the tie in the ninth by lining a 93 mph fastball from Houston closer Ryan Pressly to center field.