What Miggy said (in English and Spanish) after hitting home run No. 500 - MLive.com

Miguel Cabrera’s 500th career home run was both a thrill, a moment of joy to share with his teammates and his family, and a huge burden taken off his shoulders.

Cabrera had gone 11 days since his 499th home run. It wasn’t an unreasonable amount of time, but with every at-bat under such scrutiny and the hopes of thousands of Tigers’ fans resting on every pitch, the pressure could be difficult. Even for a superstar.

“Last week, Detroit was tough,” Cabrera said. “It was the first time this year I’d seen the crowd excited like that, with a lot of energy. It was nice to see a lot of fans. It was nice to see energy back in Comerica Park. There were a lot of things going on in my mind because I wanted to do it in Detroit.”

It happened in Toronto on Sunday afternoon instead. It was a happy ending, if not a storybook one.

“I’ve got say thank God that I hit it here. I got it over with and now I can keep trying to play my best,” he said.

Here’s what Cabrera told reporters following Sunday’s game, which the Tigers won 5-3 in 11 innings. Responses are translated from Spanish when noted.

(on his reaction)

It was a great feeling. It was nice timing because we tied the game right there in that inning. We came in today trying to win the series. It was a really good game. Finally we got into the extra innings and we won the game.

(on the reaction of Toronto fans, who gave him a nice ovation, prompting a curtain call)

I think I’m only one of 28 players to do that, so (whether) I do it in Detroit or Toronto, I think the fans are going to be happy because not too many players do that everyday. To see (the fans’ reaction), that’s pretty special.

(when the ball came off his bat)

When I hit I said, ‘Come on, get out, get out!’ I play in Comerica, so every fly ball in that park is an out. I’m glad I hit that fly ball here. If I hit it in Comerica, it’s going to be two outs.”

(on the deeper meaning of this accomplishment)

It means a lot, not only for me, but for the people around me: The team, my teammates, the organization of Detroit, my coaches, the managers I’ve had for my whole career, the people from Venezuela, my family.

I think it’s really big because it’s something special for my country, for my family to be able do this. I’m really happy. But at the same time I’ve got to stay focused. I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing and try to help the team get better and win more games.

(on what his children think of this)

They’re happy. They’ve called me already. I’m glad they’re able to see this and share it with me. I’ll always thank God for this moment.

(what does it mean to be able to focus on the next accomplishments to come)

(in Spanish) The focus has always been there. What I wanted was to quickly move past that (the 500-homer chase).

I wanted to give that satisfaction to the fans of Detroit to see it at home, but it couldn’t be done. I’ve been focused on trying to make good contact with the baseball, but they’ve been pitching me tough, as many people have said.

Nobody can believe the number 500, such an incredible total, but thanks to God, as I’ve said to all my teammates, I feel that a great weight has been lifted from me. It’s a relief.

It’s a great source of satisfaction for my country and for my family. I’ll keep moving forward and hope to do more good things.

(Only one Venezuelan is in the Hall of Fame. After this great accomplishment, can one think about joining that group?)

(in Spanish) It feels very good. But I believe that the work is still not done. One must be focused on the little things. You yourself have said that when you retire you will have plenty of time to think and analyze whether or not you can enter the Hall of Fame. In these moments, I think that it’s unnecessary to think about that, because there’s still a ways to go. I think that I have to continue working and focus on staying healthy and on the field to play as many games as possible.

(You’ve reached 500 despite playing in two challenging stadiums for home runs, Miami and Detroit)

(in Spanish) I feel good about where I’ve played, even if I might have hit more home runs if I’d played somewhere else. But I don’t pay much heed to that or give it much thought, because I accept where I am. I accept what comes my way. Thank God I could reach No. 500 today and let’s hope that I can continue to support the team and do my small part to help.

*Click here for Cabrera’s responses in Spanish that were translated above.

Adblock test (Why?)

Article From & Read More ( What Miggy said (in English and Spanish) after hitting home run No. 500 - MLive.com )
https://ift.tt/2XJuiyt
Sports

Bagikan Berita Ini