How Detroit Tigers honored Miguel Cabrera in joyous pregame ceremony at Comerica Park

The pregame ceremony to honor Miguel Cabrera started with a video tribute and ended with his parents throwing the first pitch to their son.

The start of Saturday's game against the Cleveland Guardians was delayed 33 minutes for an on-field celebration at Comerica Park, before the Detroit Tigers played their second-to-last game of the season. Dan Dickerson, Tigers radio play-by-play voice, hosted the pregame ceremony and introduced Cabrera.

"Please welcome to the field a 12-time All-Star, a two-time MVP, the only Triple Crown winner in the last 55 years, one of three players in history with 500 home runs, 600 doubles and 3,000 hits, the purest hitter of a generation, Miguel Cabrera."

Suddenly, Cabrera emerged from the tunnel behind home plate.

The fans jumped to their feet and cheered for one of the greatest right-handed hitters in baseball history. Cabrera walked out of the tunnel, greeted his family members, took off his hat and waved to the fans.

His family members in attendance: Rosangel Cabrera (wife), Isabella Cabrera (daughter), Christopher Cabrera (son), Brisel Cabrera (daughter), Miguel Cabrera Sr. (father) and Gregoria Cabrera (mother).

Then, Dickerson introduced members of the Tigers: president of baseball operations Scott Harris, manager A.J. Hinch, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, left-hander Matthew Boyd, former manager Jim Leyland and Hall of Famer Alan Trammell.

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Leyland, who represents the glory days of the Tigers a decade ago, received an incredible ovation from the fans. During the Leyland cheers, Cabrera stood up from his chair, looked at his former manager and joined the applause.

Leyland stood up and hugged Cabrera.

Trammell, who played for the Tigers from 1977-96, praised Cabrera for significant games, as well as his 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

"I wish Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline, was here today," Trammell said. "Miggy and Al had a special relationship. Al Kaline is on record saying Miguel Cabrera is the greatest right-handed hitter he ever saw. I'll second that."

Cabrera recently joined Trammell, Leyland, Kirk Gibson, Willie Horton and Lance Parrish as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations. He officially starts his new job Monday.

"Oh, by the way, we'll see you in Cooperstown," Trammell said.

Rodriguez and Boyd, current teammates of Cabrera, combined for the second and final speech of the ceremony. Rodriguez delivered his speech in Spanish, and Boyd gave his in English.

Both players received a hug from Cabrera.

"When I showed up in 2015, as a rookie when I was traded, I walked through those clubhouse doors," Boyd said, "and you were the first guy to welcome me to the team. In a clubhouse full of superstars, you made me feel a part of it."

The Tigers then presented Cabrera with three gifts. He received a $24,000 check to his charitable foundation, customized Jordan cleats and a No. 24 Comerica Park seat with signatures from players and coaches on his final Tigers team.

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The Jordan cleats were created by artist Marko Terzo and made with baseballs from significant games — Aug. 22, 2021 (500th home run) and April 23, 2022 (3,000th hit) — in Cabrera's career.

Parrish and Horton unveiled a large No. 24 sculpture above the bricks in right-center field. The model No. 24 was made out of 3,000 baseballs: 2,500 regular baseballs and 500 gold baseballs.

The piece of art will stay at Comerica Park into the future.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Detroit Tigers honored Miguel Cabrera in pregame ceremony