Cabrera, Posey honored before Game 3

DETROIT -- There were a lot of Hall of Famers in the house Saturday -- and a couple of award winners, too. Hank Aaron was there to present the award named after him to Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey as the two most outstanding offensive players in each league. Commissioner Bud Selig was also part of the ceremony. "Miguel joined historic company this year by winning the game's first Triple Crown in 45 years, and Buster was a consistent force in returning to the field triumphantly this year." Selig said. "Most importantly, Miguel and Buster helped their clubs reach the World Series. "I salute them on winning an award named in horn or of a pillar of our game, my friend Hank Aaron." Cabrera made a quick statement before returning to the clubhouse to prepare for the game. "I want to thank you very much for giving me this award," Cabrera said. "It's an honor to sit here with a Hall of Famer, the commissioner. "I thank God for this moment, for the opportunity to do this, for Detroit, for the organization. I want to thank Mr. Ilitch for giving me an opportunity to be here and grow as a player and to be in the World Series." After Cabrera left, Posey came into the interview room to receive his award. "Last year when you got hurt, everybody was saying, 'Is he going to come back?' And you came back, not only hitting .300 but leading your team to the World Series," Aaron said. "I want to congratulate you for all you do. It's not easy when you're squatting behind the plate for nine innings and hitting .300." Cabrera also received a crown trophy for winning the Triple Crown for hitting .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBIs. ORDONEZ PAYS A VISIT Magglio Ordonez, who retired this past season, was in the Tigers dugout before the game. Ordonez will throw out the first pitch before Game 4 Sunday, Ordonez was asked about this year's Tigers having a long layoff before the World Series, just as Ordonez and Tigers had before playing the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. "It's always hard when you don't play for five days," Ordonez said. "But they need to forget about that and start over today and try to win." SCHERZER READY FOR GAME 4 Max Scherzer spoke to the media before Game 3, not knowing whether he'd be pitching in an elimination game or with a chance to tie the series. "I've got to give the team a chance to win (Sunday), so regardless of what the series is at, it's a must-win game," Scherzer said. "We're trying to win the World Series, so if we're going to do that, I am going to need to pitch well." Scherzer knows he'll have to contend with the elements as the weather is expected to be similar to Saturday's 47-degree temperature at game time. "I haven't worn sleeves the whole year, fortunately, but that's going to change," Scherzer said. "I'm going back to all the tricks I did in college, numerous 40-degree games there -- wearing shorts under your pants, finding the right long sleeves, warming up extra long, anything you can do to keep your body warm." WORDS OF WISDOM Manager Jim Leyland was asked before Game 3 about relating to younger players. "I think I relate sometimes with the young players better than the young players relate," Leyland said. "There's a whole bunch of people in our families. My dad is one of 16, my wife is one of 11, I'm one of seven. I don't think that's really a problem for me. "I am just grumpy once in a whole because you have to be grumpy or sometimes you guys don't get the message. So everybody thinks I'm a grumpy old man. "I'm old but I'm not grumpy."