D'Angelo Jimenez

Lore & Background

Cabrera made his MLB debut in mid-2003 at age 20 and contributed to the Marlins' 2003 World Series victory over the New York Yankees. He was a two-time American League MVP, a four-time AL batting champion, and a 12-time MLB All-Star. In 2012, he won the 17th MLB Triple Crown, the first since 1967. He is one of three players in MLB history with a career batting average above .300, 500 home runs, and 3,000 hits, joining Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. He retired after the 2023 season and works for the Tigers' organization as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations.

In Their Own Story

The late-June sun hangs low over the outfield wall, painting the warning track in amber. The stands are half-full, the kind of Tuesday evening where the crowd is more conversation than cheer. In the dugout, a player in the orange-and-blue uniform rolls his shoulder, taps the bat against the dirt one more time, and steps into the box. The pitcher winds up. The crack of the bat is sharp, almost violent against the humid air, and the ball sails toward the gap. For three seconds, the whole ballpark holds its breath. The runner jogs back, points to the sky, and the dugout erupts—not a roar, just a long, proud exhale. That's the Marlins. That's the game. And somewhere in that season, in that lineup, D'Angelo Jimenez was part of the story.

Reader's Guide

Cabrera primarily played left and right field before 2006, then spent most of his career at first and third base. He won four AL batting titles, including three consecutive (2011–2013), and batted over .300 in 11 seasons. He hit 30 or more home runs in ten seasons and drove in over 100 runs in 12 seasons (including 11 consecutive from 2004–2014). He is the all-time leader in career home runs and hits by a Venezuelan player. He joined the 500 home run club in 2021 and the 3,000 hit club in 2022.

Did You Know?

• Cabrera hit a walk-off home run in his MLB debut on June 20, 2003.
• He was the first player since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 to win the batting Triple Crown.
• Cabrera represented Venezuela at five World Baseball Classic tournaments from 2006 to 2023.
• At the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he served as hitting coach for Venezuela, which won its first WBC championship.