Cabrera The Final Slugger In Home Run Derby
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) - As long as he is healthy, Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera will continue his power hitting clinic this season by filling the final American League spot in the All-Star Home Run Derby.
According to CBSSports.com, Cabrera has accepted derby team captain Robinson Cano's invitation as long as his back is not bothering him.
"I say it depends how my back is feeling," Cabrera said after Detroit's extra-innings win Monday night. "If that's OK, I will do it."
Assuming Cabrera is good to go - though his back caused him to miss some time recently - he will be competing alongside teammate Prince Fielder, who has a long history with the contest.
For Fielder, this will be the fifth derby of his career. He won the contest 2012 with 28 homers and in 2009 with 23. He also participated in 2007 and 2011.
Cabrera competed in the 2006 derby and finished third with 15 homers. The only other time he participated, in 2010, he came in fourth with 12. However, Cabrera did win a home run derby when he returned to his native Venezuela and played in that all-star game last December.
Over 5,298 plate appearance in his career, Fielder, a four-time All-Star, has recorded 275 home runs and 830 runs batted in. Cabrera, through 6,877 plate appearances, has 349 home runs and 1,213 RBI.
