Miggy says joining 3,000-hit club would be 'awesome'

With his single in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, Miguel Cabrera became the 69th player to reach 2,700 hits.

Now, Miggy's eyes are set on a larger number: 3,000.

"It’s something not too many players in the big leagues, they make it," the 17-year major-league veteran told Jessica Camerato of MLB.com on Thursday. "If I make it and hit 3,000, it’s going to be awesome."

Only 32 players have reached the 3,000-hit plateau. Hall of Famers like Babe Ruth, Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Robinson, and Chipper Jones - who all recorded more hits than Cabrera - failed to hit 3,000, making it an even more exclusive club.

Earlier in his career, Cabrera cruising to 3,000 hits seemed like a foregone conclusion. From 2004 through 2017, he hit .319/.397/.556 and averaged 182 hits per season, all while appearing in fewer than 148 games only twice.

The cracks are now beginning to show after an injury-ravaged 2018 limited him to 38 games. So far in 2019, while healthy, Cabrera's numbers haven't been up to his usual standard, as he's batted .267/.350/.311 with four doubles and no home runs through 24 games.

He knows it will take better results to reach the ultimate prize.

"You’ve got to hit .300 to (get to) 3,000," Cabrera said. "To me, that’s really close. I think about it a little bit. But at the same time, I say it’s a long way to go. So I don’t have to focus on, ‘I’ve got to get 3,000 tomorrow.’ It’s going to be step by step and try to focus game by game."

As long as he stays on the field, 3,000 hits is within his grasp. Cabrera remains under contract with the Tigers through the 2023 season, with a vesting option if he finishes within the top 10 in MVP voting in 2023 and another the following season.

Until then, he should continue climbing the all-time ranks. He slots in behind Doc Cramer (2,705 hits) and is second among active players behind Albert Pujols (3,099).