Detroit Tigers 2000-2009 All-Decade Team Best Players History

3 of 11

Sep 5, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) runs off the field against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

First Base: Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera only spent two seasons with the Detroit Tigers in the decade of the aughts, but he made an immediate impact with his bat and it was quickly apparent that the Tigers had a special hitter on their hands.

In his 2008 and 2009 seasons, Cabrera combined to hit .308/.373/.542. He led the American League in home runs in 2008 (the first black ink of his career) and finished fourth in MVP balloting in 2009.

His two-run home run in 2009’s Game 163 versus the Twins wasn’t enough to help lift the Tigers back to the playoffs but he was an offensive machine that was only just becoming fully weaponized.

Home/Detroit Tigers