Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Miguel Cabrera is widely regarded as the best hitter in Major League Baseball. The 30-year-old slugger from Venezuela has gone from a very solid hitter when the Detroit Tigers traded for him in 2007 to the best hitter in the world today.
Detroit may have gotten one of the greatest trade steals of all time when they traded for the young superstar by giving up two of their top prospects, Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin. Sure, the Tigers got Dontrelle Willis along with Cabrera in the trade, but I think that he was worth the bust if Cabrera has been anything but.
In a recent interview with Barry Bonds by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Bonds talked about the Venezuelan sensation, and how if Cabrera keeps hitting the way he does and keeps having fun, he will end up being the best of all-time.
Something that was also brought up in the interview was how much Cabrera loves the game. Bonds talked about him as having more passion than anybody in the game, and that’s what sets him apart.
When Barry Bonds — arguably the best player in history — speaks so highly of Cabrera, he should be quite honored.
There’s no doubt when watching the Tigers play, one guy sticks out. Cabrera is always smiling, laughing and having fun playing the game.
He has so much fun, in fact, that he is on pace to win his second Triple Crown in as many years. No one has ever accomplished that feat. In fact, he’s in such good shape that he leads the league in average and RBI, while ranking in the top-five in home runs.
Last year at this time, Cabrera was hitting .304 with eight homers and 27 RBIs. Today, he’s hitting .384 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs. You do the math.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
