Cabrera's error could cost Tigers big

October 6, 9:11 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Miguel Cabrera has certainly drawn some attention over the past few days.  Unfortunately for the Detroit Tigers, it hasn’t been for his timely hitting, but rather, his actions off the field which have some doubting his commitment to the team.  There’s no worse time to have your commitment called into question than during a playoff race, which is exactly the situation the Tigers are in as they prepare for a one-game playoff with the Minnesota Twins tonight. 

Cabrera allegedly went out for a night of drinking after the Tigers Friday night loss to the Chicago White Sox, with some White Sox players even in attendance.  He then went home and got into an argument with his wife, earning a nice cut on his face for his troubles.  He would eventually have to be picked up from jail by Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski who was “livid” with his young star.  Then again, why shouldn’t he be?  If the Tigers come up short, it’s Dombrowski who takes the heat.

We’ve seen this kind of thing in sports before.  Eugene Robinson, Barrett Robbins, and Stanley Wilson’s pre-Super Bowl meltdowns are three of the more recent examples.  Detroit fans may remember the antics of Red Wings players Petr Klima and Bob Probert before a playoff game.  The bottom line is, it’s tough enough to beat your opponent as it is – it just gets that much harder when there’s an external distraction. 

If Cabrera goes 3-4 and helps propel the Tigers into the playoffs, maybe this whole thing ends up forgotten (provided there isn’t a repeat).  However if he appears distracted and doesn’t produce, it will take a lot longer for his teammates, Tiger fans, and management to forget.