Miggy on playing hurt last year: 'If people don't appreciate it, f--- it'

He's coming off the worst season of his legendary career and is quickly approaching his mid-30s, so it's only natural for Miguel Cabrera to hear talk about how he has suddenly lost it.

Whispers grew louder throughout last season about how the Detroit Tigers superstar, arguably the greatest pure hitter of his generation, might have turned into a positionless albatross on a massive contract who won't be able to stay healthy going forward.

But Miggy feels rejuvenated after playing through two herniated disks in his back all of last season. He's already raking this spring, hitting .333 through his first 12 Grapefruit League games, while showing signs that his vaunted swing of old might have returned. And before he begins his 16th season, the 34-year-old had a few harsh words for his critics.

"We (players) always talk and we know what people say, but they're never going to be in our shoes," Cabrera told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. "They're never going to play hurt the way we do. We believe in what we can do in the field. If we're healthy, we know we can do a lot of things. And if we're hurt, we're going to still fight. A lot of guys won't play if they have a (hangnail).

"If people don't appreciate it, f--- it. Teammates appreciate it, and the league knows how you play. That's more important. If people outside don't care, why should you care what they think?"

Last season was the first time since his abbreviated rookie campaign in 2003 that Cabrera failed to hit above .260 or post an .800-plus OPS, and the first time ever that his slugging percentage dipped below .400. As the Tigers dynasty he helped build crumbled around him, his wonky back not only hurt his bat but limited him to just 130 games (somehow, he made 115 appearances as a first baseman in spite of the ailment).

His spring performance thus far has made believers out of the Tigers, who seem to unanimously agree that rumors of the old Miggy's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

"Miggy is probably the best hitter of our generation," Tigers outfielder Mikie Mahtook said. "He had one down year in his career and he was hurt. Then he made it a point to get healthy and come in this year and be the old Miggy.

"You watch him during batting practice, moving around and taking extra bases and hitting balls in the games, and he looks like Miggy."