Watch: Miguel Cabrera throws ceremonial first pitch alongside Detroit icons
Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera played the final home opener of his Major League career on Thursday, but several Detroit sports legends helped make it all the more special.
Before the Detroit Tigers' first home game of the 2023 campaign against the Boston Red Sox, icons Ben Wallace, Calvin Johnson and Niklas Lidstrom took the hill at Comerica Park to throw the ceremonial first pitch. However, they weren't content being a trio, coercing Cabrera out of the Tigers' dugout to join them.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, Cabrera's last home opener resulted in a 6-3 loss to the Red Sox. The 39-year-old finished the day 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, but a four-run sixth inning helped propel Boston to victory.
Last August, Cabrera revealed that he intended to retire after the 2023 season. Ahead of Thursday's contest, Cabrera said he was thankful to get the opportunity to play two decades' worth of opening days and share his final one with Detroit fans.
"It's going to be different," Cabrera told reporters via Evan Woodbery of mlive.com. "There's going to be a lot of emotion, but like I said before, I've just got to say thank you because not too many people get a chance to play 20 years on Opening Day. So I'm grateful."
In his 16th season with the Tigers, Cabrera is among the top 10 in franchise history in home runs (3rd, 369), RBI (5th, 1,326), hits (8th, 2,248) and games played (9th, 1,984).
Cabrera admitted that his final season will be emotional, but he will "enjoy the last ride."
"I'm not sad," Cabrera said. "I'm happy because it's been 21 good years in the big leagues."
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