This is How the Detroit Tigers Should Keep Miguel Cabrera on the Payroll

Six home games remain in the illustrious career of Miguel Cabrera. The iconic Tigers slugger will likely appear in each of the final games in a season-ending homestand that places a period at the end of the sentence of Miggy’s baseball career.

Miguel Cabrera: A Baseball Legend's Enduring Legacy

A two-time MVP, four-time batting champ, and a Triple Crown winner, Cabrera will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But once he’s done swinging at fastballs, Cabrera shouldn’t fade away from Detroit. The Tigers should make sure of that.

The Detroit front office and team ownership under the Ilitch family should offer Cabrera a job as a consultant to the franchise. That way, Miggy can still be visible to the fans that love him.

Born in Venezuela, Cabrera has, against all odds, a Michigander. Since that day in December of 2007 when the Tigers acquired Cabrera in a blockbuster trade, Miggy has done everything for this franchise. That work doesn’t have to be done.

Following in Legends' Footsteps: A Page from Al Kaline's Book

The precedent has been set: the Tigers gave Al Kaline a job after his legendary career, first as a special assistant, then as a broadcaster, then as a team executive and sometime spring training coach, and finally as an executive assistant to the owner. Kaline was known as “Mr. Tiger,” and one of his final acts as a member of the organization was helping shepherd Cabrera into the franchise.

Baseball has more Latin players than ever. The Tigers have employed many players from Central and South American in recent seasons. No player is more popular in that part of the world than Miggy. With his effervescent personality and tremendous accomplishments on the diamond, Cabrera is a hero to many in latin culture.

As a result, he’s often a mentor for players who speak Spanish and have to adjust to life in America and the big leagues. Miggy did the same himself as a young player with the Florida Marlins.

Securing Miggy's Legacy: A Call for Formal Recognition

The Ilitch family hasn't made a formal announcement yet, but they should secure Miggy’s name on a contract as soon as possible. In the same capacity that Kaline once did and now Alan Trammell does serve as an ambassador for one of baseball’s oldest franchises, Miggy deserves that position too.

Why would we want to deprive Tigers fans the chance to see that famous Miggy smile at the ballpark?

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