DETROIT -- It was only a few weeks ago that people were starting to wonder about Miguel Cabrera. Chalk it up to the mass hysteria created by an abysmal losing skid or an uncharacteristically slow start for the reigning American League batting champion, but there were definitely folks questioning if this was the beginning of the inevitable end, the painful decline of one of the most formidable hitters in baseball.
Those people might be feeling pretty foolish right now.
“You know, I bet you there was a lot of people talking, ‘Oh, Miggy's done,’ this and that. I really want to hear what they say now,” Cabrera’s veteran teammate Victor Martinez said. “With all due respect to other players around the league, for me, he's the best hitter in the game. That just shows you he's human. He's allowed to struggle once in awhile."
Cabrera is struggling no more; the former Triple Crown winner continued to build on what was already a monumental week. After being named American League co-player of the week (along with teammate Cameron Maybin), Cabrera delivered another epic performance in the Tigers’ 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.
The 33-year-old slugger, who was forced from Sunday’s game after being hit by a pitch on the left knee, returned to go 3-for-3, which included a pair of home runs and the 500th double of his career. (Cabrera took home second base after the game.)
"I mean, it means a lot to me,” Cabrera said of the accomplishment, which only 61 other players in MLB history have done. “Like I said before, we coming from another country, so a lot of people don't know where we come from, how we live in the past, how we grew up. We make it this far, it's very special for us."
Cabrera’s historic night was highlighted by a pair of solo blasts that tied the game in both the third and fifth innings. It was his second multi-homer game of the week, his third of the season and the 36th of his career. Monday’s brilliant offensive performance was also the second straight game he went 3-for-3 or better with a home run, and the 20th time in his career he has completed such a feat.
According to ESPN Stats & Info research, only two other players in the past century have recorded more: Barry Bonds (23) and Lou Gehrig (21).
His place among the greats is not lost on teammates, old or new.
“I know being on the other side of it, I thought he was incredible,” said pitcher Mike Pelfrey, who signed as a free agent with Detroit this winter. “I don’t think you fully realize how good, how great, a guy is until you actually get to play with him and get to watch him every day. I feel pretty blessed, obviously, to be able to watch him every day, along with these other guys. He’s probably the best hitter of our generation.”
Cabrera might not be as hyped as some of the younger players making their mark (see: Washington's Bryce Harper), but his name still belongs among the game's elite.
"It's kind of the Michael Jordan syndrome, comparing Michael to Michael," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said when asked about Cabrera's longevity. "I think the vast majority of people know that Miggy is one of the best players in baseball."
Cabrera’s sudden, and prolific, production has had a carryover effect on the rest of the team’s offensive output as well, especially with respect to the heart of the order. Cabrera's fifth-inning home run was one of three solo blasts in the frame, with J.D. Martinez and Nick Castellanos also going deep.
"Any time you get a guy like Miguel going, you see the damage he does," J.D. Martinez said. "It's not a guy getting on base and stealing bags and just kind of doing that. He's a guy that changes the game with one swing of the bat. And so, anytime you get a guy like that going, you put the thought of who do I want to face, who do I not want to get on base [in the opposing pitcher’s head] because I don't want guys on base when he comes up because he's hot right now, and everybody knows when he's hot, it doesn't matter who's pitching. He's going to touch 'em and he's going to hit 'em."
Cabrera’s dramatic surge might be explained by the power he now seems to be deriving from his lower body. After a few years of being hampered by injuries to his core and ankle, this past offseason was his first to really regain strength in his legs and focus on rebuilding power. That may have taken some time for him to reincorporate into his swing -- given the type of timing required -- but it is evident now.
"Quite frankly, Miggy looks as good as I've seen him since I've been there,” Ausmus said.
Cabrera laughed that off when told of the comments, pointing out the other hot stretches he has had in his career. This isn’t exactly an isolated occurrence. Some people might have doubted his ability to perform at an elite level, but Cabrera’s confidence has never waned.
“That’s their job. Those guys have to talk [about] something,” Cabrera said about the haters. “It's all s---. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth and we've got to live with that. ... I’m not mad when people talk bad about me, that’s the way it is.”