With his 3,000 hits, Miguel Cabrera increases his legacy 1:13
(CNN) --
Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera entered the 3,000-hit club Saturday with an opposite-field single in his first at-bat at home against the Colorado Rockies.
The 39-year-old Venezuelan, in his 20th season, is the 33rd player to reach the milestone in the 119-year history of Major League Baseball.
The hit, against the Rockies right-hander and fellow Venezuelan Antonio Senzatela, comes in a season that featured another career milestone: Cabrera's 500th home run.
Miguel Cabrera becomes the 28th baseball player to join the 500 home run club
After the hard grounder to the right, with a runner on first base, Cabrera pointed his right arm skyward and raised his fist on his way to first.
He then exchanged a hug with Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias, a friend and former teammate from the Tigers.
Miguel Cabrera.
MasterClass.
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– Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 23, 2022
Cabrera joins Henry Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray as the only players in history to amass 3,000 career hits and 500 home runs.
"Watching Miguel grow from a teenager batting practice in his neighborhood fields in Venezuela to become one of the greatest players in baseball history has been one of the great joys of my life," said Al Ávila, Vice President executive and general manager of the Tigers, in a statement.
"His humility, passion for fun and genuine love for the city of Detroit are completely unmatched and joining the 3,000 hit club only strengthens his position as one of the all-time greats."
Caimanes de Barranquilla, champions of the 2022 Caribbean Baseball Series
Tigers Chairman and CEO Christopher Ilitch said, "I thank Miguel for a run of exciting Hall of Fame-caliber play toward our goal of a baseball championship for Tigers fans. Miggy has built and continues to building his status as one of the greatest Tigers of all time.
Now Cabrera is just one double away from securing a spot as one of the game's leading hitters, becoming only the third player in MLB history with 3,000 hits, 500 home runs and 600 career doubles.
Cabrera is an 11-time All-Star, a four-time batting champion and a two-time American League MVP.
In 2012, Cabrera became the first player to win the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 after leading the American League in home runs, RBI and batting average.
A native of Maracay, Venezuela, Cabrera was 20 years old when he made his major league debut with the Florida Marlins in 2003. The Marlins won the World Series that year.
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