The Detroit Tigers took on the New York Yankees on Thursday with a chance for veteran first baseman Miguel Cabrera to make history.
Cabrera sat at 2,999 hits heading into the game with a chance for Thursday to be the day that he gets to 3,000.
This milestone has only been done by 32 players in MLB history, so it is certainly a historic group of players for Cabrera to join.
Cabrera appeared all set for his historic moment in the bottom of the 8th inning with runners on second and third base, but the Yankees and manager Aaron Boone certainly lived up to the villain role that the Yankees play in the MLB, intentionally walking Cabrera to instead pitch to outfielder Austin Meadows.
The home crowd at Comerica Park certainly did not love the decision, showering the Yankees with boos as Cabrera jogged over to first base.
Miguel Cabrera is one hit away from 3,000… and fans did not take kindly to the Yankees intentionally walking him.
via @MarlyRiveraESPNhttps://t.co/3OkuC9DCOH
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 21, 2022
The Yankees got some instant karma for their decision, as Meadows then hit a two-run RBI single in the next at-bat, which helped propel the Tigers to their 3-0 victory.
Yankees intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera then Austin Meadows dunks in a two-run single
"Yankees suck" chants rain down at Comerica pic.twitter.com/woJSilUfE7
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 21, 2022
The decision to walk Cabrera was certainly not a popular one, as many took to social media to criticize the Yankees for their decision.
The #Yankees losing 3-0 after walking Miguel Cabrera in the 8th is Justice!
— Htown Wheelhouse™️2X World Series Champs '17, '22 (@HtownWheelhouse) April 21, 2022
So you're saying down 1 with runners on second and third and Miguel Cabrera, a below-average hitter for six years now, you are ONE HUNDRED PERCENT CERTAIN the best way to win the game is to intentionally walk him.
— Joe Posnanski (@JPosnanski) April 21, 2022
That was only the second time Miguel Cabrera has been intentionally walked since the start of the 2020 season
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 21, 2022
Miguel Cabrera is a class act. Calming fans down after their symphony of boos, citing the score. It’s about the sum, not the parts. https://t.co/Tm7A96deiU
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 21, 2022
Cabrera was asked about the decision and gave a response that you would expect from a veteran of the game like himself.
“No, I’m not mad about it. My on-base percentage went up.”
Miguel Cabrera said he's not mad he got intentionally walked.
"No, my on-base percentage went up."
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 21, 2022
Cabrera will have to wait until potentially Friday when the Tigers take on the Colorado Rockies for his historic moment.
