Topic: Miguel Cabrera

MLB Home Run Derby Participant (2010) José Miguel Cabrera Torres (born April 18, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.

He is a six-time All-Star, having been selected to the National League All-Star Team in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and the American League All-Star Team in 2010, 2011. Cabrera has started at least 100 games at first base, third base, left field and right field. He progressed through the Florida Marlins minor-league system, and was called up from the Double-A Carolina Mudcats in June 2003, and went on to help the Florida Marlins win the World Series that year. According to Baseball-Reference, Cabrera Is putting up statistics comparable to Hank Aaron and Ken Griffey, Jr. at age 28, and is considered one of the best hitters in baseball today. He is a very intimidating hitter, as he consistently hits the best pitchers in baseball. Dan Haren quoted saying, "You're going to make good pitches, and he's going to hit them."

Cabrera was born on April 18, 1983 in Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela to parents Miguel and Gregoria. Baseball was a part of his life from the time he was first able to pick up a baseball bat, and his parents had actually met on a baseball diamond. His mother played 14 seasons as shortstop for the Venezuelan national softball team, and Cabrera isn't shy to admit his mother taught him his swing. His father is also an accomplished baseball player having his big league dreams cut short as an amateur player. His uncle, David Torres, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and made it to Double-A ball in the organization before his career came to a halt.