The 39-year-old Venezuelan is the 33rd player in his 20th season to reach the milestone in Major League Baseball’s 119-year history.
After the hard grounder to the right, with a runner on first base, Cabrera raised his right arm to the air and clenched his fist on the way to first base. He then exchanged a hug with Rockies shortstop, Jose Iglesias, a friend and former Tigers teammate.
Cabrera joins Henry Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray as the only players in history to have amassed 3,000 career hits and 500 home runs.
“His humility, passion for fun and genuine love for the city of Detroit are unmatched and his membership in the 3,000-hit club cements his position as one of the greatest players of all time.”
Cabrera hit a two-run single in the sixth inning for his 3,001st basehit before leaving the game for a pinch runner.
Now Cabrera is just one double away from securing a spot as one of the game’s top hitters — becoming only the third player in MLB history to have 3,000 hits, 500 home runs and 600 doubles in his career.
Cabrera is an 11-time All-Star, four-time batting champion and 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 with home runs, RBI’s and batting average.
Cabrera, who was born in Maracay, a city in northern Venezuela near the Caribbean coast, was 20 years old when he made his big league-debut in 2003 with the Florida Marlins. The Marlins won the World Series that year.
