Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera announced Monday that the 2023 MLB season will be his last.
The 39-year-old confirmed to MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola at his charity gala in Miami that his playing days are coming to an end. “I thought I’m not going to say never, but I think it’s time to say goodbye to baseball,” Cabrera said.
He added that his goal is to stick around the Tigers organization after his playing days are over to help develop younger talent and maintain a connection to the game he loves. “My goal is to stay in baseball, try to help, because I love baseball,” he said.
Ahead of his charity gala this week in Miami, Miguel Cabrera reiterates to @CDeNicola13 that 2023 will be his final season.
“It feels a little weird to say that,” he said. “I thought I’m not going to say never, but I think it’s time to say goodbye to baseball.”
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) November 28, 2022
Miguel Cabrera also said he’d like to stay involved in Tigers organization and help young players once his own playing career is over.
“I have time to decide, but my goal is to stay in baseball, try to help, because I love baseball,” he said.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) November 28, 2022
Miguel Cabrera has confirmed he will retire after the 2023 MLB season pic.twitter.com/Bg4MNhJMch
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 28, 2022
Cabrera’s accolades throughout his 20-year career are off the charts and should make him worthy of being inducted into Hall of Fame one day.
According to Pro Baseball Reference, Cabrera is a 12-time All-Star, won four batting titles and has been named league MVP twice. He is also a Triple Crown winner, a seven-time Silver Slugger winner and a World Series champion.
And on top of that, Cabrera is one of just 28 players in MLB history to hit over 500 career home runs. (RELATED: Fauci Privately Admitted He Threw ‘Brick’ Opening Pitch At MLB Game)
Since entering the league in 2003, Cabrera has been one of the best players in the MLB, if not THE best player. It will be a travesty if he isn’t enshrined in Cooperstown as a first-ballot inductee after his dominant 20-year run.