Tigers' Miguel Cabrera wants to reach 500 home runs, 3,000 hits in 2021

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera is no longer the caliber of hitter he was when he earned American League Most Valuable Player honors in 2012 and 2013, but the 11-time All-Star who turns 38 years old in April did hit 10 home runs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season to get to 487 career round-trippers. 

Also sitting just 134 hits short of 3,000, Cabrera is eyeing a pair of milestones in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. 

"I hope so. We can do both," Cabrera said of reaching 500 home runs and 3,000 hits, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "I hope I can get to 500, 3,000 this year. It's one of my goals this year. Mentally, I feel good. I feel mentally strong. I'm trying to go day by day and trying to play hard." 

The AP added that Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray and Rafael Palmeiro are the only players in MLB history to reach 500 home runs and 3,000 hits. If Cabrera can remain in the lineup through the summer into late September, reaching both of those marks is achievable. 

"I want to be healthy, and I want to do my best, and I want to do whatever I can to help the team to win games," he said.