Cabrera Becomes the First Venezuelan-Born Major Leaguer to Reach 500 Career Home Runs and the First to Join the Club As a Tiger

Yesterday, 11-time All-Star Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers became the 28th player in the history of Major League Baseball to record his 500th career home run. The two-time American League Most Valuable Player and 2012 AL Triple Crown winner joined the exclusive list with a 400-foot blast against pitcher Steven Matz of the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the sixth inning. Cabrera, the first player in his Club’s long history to reach this milestone as a Tiger, extended his all-time home run record among all Venezuelan players.

Watch the many memorable home runs Miggy hit through the years.

To congratulate Cabrera on this historic feat, MLB has released a MAKE IT MAJOR spot that includes music featuring Cabrera himself and Venezuelan artist Sibilino. Throughout the season, MLB has highlighted MAKE IT MAJOR moments in baseball which are major impact moments that excite and inspire us.

Click here for the :30 Miguel Cabrera MAKE IT MAJOR spot: Link

HAZLO GRANDE (Spanish version): Link

Cabrera, who has the eighth highest career batting average among players entering their 500th home run at-bat (per the Elias Sports Bureau), joins Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols as the only active players who are members of the 500 home run club.

Cabrera is less than 50 hits away from the 3,000th of his 19-year career, which also includes a World Series Championship during his rookie season with the 2003 Florida Marlins. During that Fall Classic, Cabrera hit a home run against seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens. The 38-year-old Cabrera led the Tigers to four consecutive Postseasons from 2011-2014, including the 2012 AL Championship. Cabrera is among the leaders of active players (min. 800 games played) in many offensive categories, including first in batting average (.311); second in hits (2,955), doubles (591), home runs (500), RBI (1,785) and runs scored (1,498); third in walks (1,192); and fifth in on-base percentage (.388) and slugging percentage (.534). Cabrera is currently cochairing the Protect Michigan Commission, helping inform Michiganders on the importance of getting their COVID-19 vaccinations.

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