Aaron Boone deprived Detroit Tigers fans of one last opportunity to see Miguel Cabrera record his 3,000th career hit on Thursday afternoon. In his last plate appearance of the game, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone issued an intentional walk with first base open.
The Yankees were down 1-0 in the bottom of the eighth, and walking Cabrera set up a lefty-lefty matchup with southpaw Lucas Luetge facing Austin Meadows. While Boone’s decision made sense on paper, Tigers outfielder hit a two-run double to help cement a 3-0 victory.
Tigers fans in attendance were understandably upset about missing a chance to witness a milestone moment. However, Boone’s move didn’t surprise — nor seem to upset — A.J. Hinch,
After the game, per The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen, the Tigers manager said Boone’s priority is to his club, not an opponent chasing a personal benchmark.
“(Boone)’s obligation is to his own team and their chances of winning and he has the matchup behind Miggy that he wanted. So you could see it coming,” Hinch said. “I know our fans responded accordingly, but I totally get it.”
A.J. Hinch: “(Aaron Boone)’s obligation is to his own team and their chances of winning and he has the matchup behind Miggy that he wanted. So you could see it coming. I know our fans responded accordingly, but I totally get it.”
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 21, 2022
He added that he doesn’t “think karma reared its ugly head” when Meadows doubled.
Hinch: “I don’t think karma reared its ugly head there. I just think Austin got a nice pitch to hit and was able to find some outfield grass. We needed to extend the lead, now. … The athletes decide the outcome.”
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 21, 2022
Hinch is right. Boone can’t consider the opposing crowd’s feelings when trying to win. With that said, it still stinks for those who went to Comerica Park in hopes of seeing Cabrera become the 33rd member of MLB’s 3,000-hit club.
Cabrera will at least have more attempts to record that monumental hit at home, as the Tigers host the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series starting Friday.
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