Strike Two

After giving it some time to set in, it's time to comment on the unfortunate incident that involved the 2010 MVP runner-up.  If you haven't heard, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers was arrested last week after police found him intoxicated on the side of the road, sitting in his Range Rover with the engine smoking about 100 miles away from the Tigers spring training facility. 

He was cited for a DUI and 2 counts of non-violent resisting of arrest.  Police stated, Cabrera said, "Do you know who I am? You know nothing of my problems."  After which, the Tigers superstar took a swig from his bottle of scotch.  You may remember Cabrera was detained and held over night following a domestic disturbance in 2009, the night before the Tigers  played the most important game of the season, game 162 with a playoff berth on the line.  The Tigers would go on to lose the game and the eventual tiebreaker, game 163 and miss the playoffs.  Miggy did all that he could on the field, defiantly hitting a 2-run homer as Twins fans chanted, "Al-co-hol-ic".  The arrest did not distract Cabrera on the field as he went 3-5 in one of the greatest games I have ever watched.  And I don't expect Cabrera to be distracted on the field this year. 

Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press called Miguel Cabrera, "a public menace" in an article he wrote last week.  "Public menace" is a little extreme and dramatic even for the overzealous, Mitch Albom.  Did Miguel mess up?  Yes.  Was he irresponsible in driving drunk?  Of course.  But a public menace?  He wasn't "making it rain" in the strip club. He didn't shoot himself in the leg or any one's leg for that matter and he definitely wasn't training pit bulls to fight and kill each other.  Compared to some of the trouble other superstar athletes have gotten into in recent years, Cabrera's offense is child's play and deserves nothing more than a spanking and a ten minute timeout in the corner. 

Don't think I am taking this lightly, because I'm not...  As a Tigers fan, I know we need him to be on the field if we are going to win in the tough AL Central.  As a human being, I don't want to see someone hurting, especially someone whom I admire.  Not everyone can handle the fame and fortune that comes with being one of the greatest players in the game.  Some individuals turn to the bottle as a way to escape from their problems.  Unfortunately, alcohol only seems to escalate the difficulties one may be having.  Miguel needs help, and hopefully the Tigers front office are aware that this is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately.  I expect the organization will do whatever is possible in order to protect their $100+ million investment and help Miggy get his head straight and keep him on the field. 

This was strike two for Cabrera, luckily in baseball, it's three strikes and you're out.  Don't disappoint Miggy.