Baseball’s Triple Crown is sort of cool because it’s been celebrated for close to a century and because 12 of the 13 players to accomplish the feat went on to join the Hall of Fame. It’s also outdated, as new stats have emerged that do a better job of evaluating offensive production. But enough of our lecturing.
Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera launched his 43rd home run of the season in Saturday afternoon’s 6-4 defeat of the Twins, moving back into position to capture the first Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski finished with a .326 batting average, 44 homers and 121 RBI over 161 games for the Red Sox in 1967.
Cabrera is sporting a .327 batting average. In second is Angels outfielder Mike Trout at .321.
Cabrera is up to 43 home runs, which has him tied with Josh Hamilton for the major league lead.
Cabrera has 136 RBI. Hamilton has 125 RBI. That advantage is likely safe with just four games to play.
Some might argue that a Triple Crown should lock up the American League MVP for Miggy, but the aforementioned Trout has the AL lead in OPS+ and is a far better defender and baserunner. It’ll be close.
