Major League Leaders Celebrate Cabrera's Triple Crown
The only two living winners of the Triple Crown -- Hall of Famers Frank Robinson (1966) and Carl Yastrzemski (1967) -- issued the following statements regarding Miguel Cabrera's finishing the 2012 regular season as the American League's leader in batting average (.330), home runs (44) and RBI (139).
Cabrera, a native of Venezuela, has become the first Latino-born winner of the Triple Crown, and his achievement ends the longest gap between Triple Crowns in Baseball history.
Robinson, MLB's executive vice president for baseball development, said: "I congratulate Miguel Cabrera on winning the Triple Crown. Miguel has been outstanding all year long by coming to play every day, showing his discipline at the plate and making the most of his great talent.
"For me, earning the batting title over Tony Oliva, who we played against in the last series of the year, was the hardest part, and for Miguel, I am sure it was even more challenging, given all the specialized relievers in the game today. Most importantly, Miguel and the Tigers now have the opportunity to participate in the most exciting month of the baseball season. This is an incredible accomplishment for a gifted young man, and Miguel should be proud of his all-around excellence and consistency throughout the season."
Yastrzemski said: "I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Miguel Cabrera on winning the Triple Crown. I am glad that he accomplished this while leading his team to the American League Central title. I was fortunate enough to win this award in 1967 as part of the Red Sox Impossible Dream Team. I am sure Frank Robinson joins me in commending Miguel in reaching this significant milestone in his career."
Baseball Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig said, "It is an honor to congratulate Miguel Cabrera on earning the Triple Crown, a remarkable achievement that places him amongst an elite few in all of Baseball history. Miguel has long been one of the most accomplished hitters in the game, and this recognition is one that he will be able to cherish for the rest of his career in baseball and beyond. As the Tigers prepare for the Postseason, we have a global stage to witness Miguel's talent, which will go down as one of the hallmarks of Major League Baseball's extraordinary 2012 regular season."
