Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera may be a World Series champion, American League Most Valuable Player and Triple Crown winner, but veteran relief pitcher and teammate Octavio Dotel thinks that Cabrera's leadership stays on the field with him.
Dotel told Yahoo! that he didn't appreciate Cabrera's lack of leadership when he did not back up Dotel when he suggested a players-only meeting following consecutive losses to the Oakland Athletics in the 2012 American League Divisional Series, which the Tigers eventually pulled out in a fifth game. Dotel wanted to have a meeting once again after the Tigers dropped Games one and two of the World Series to the San Francisco Giants, but Cabrera showed no interest in it. Dotel told Yahoo! "You have to step up and say something. Miggy's more about his game. I don't see him as a leader."
Whether Cabrera is a "leader" or not, there should be debate about whether vocal leadership is necessary from a man who hit .330, belted 44 home runs and drove in 139 RBI. His team reached the World Series and he willingly shifted from first base where his defensive deficiencies were hidden to accommodate free agent acquisition Prince Fielder.
Ramon Santiago, a Tigers infielder and admitted close friend of Cabrera's is quoted in the story defending his leadership, saying "He was hurt," when referring to an ankle injury Cabrera played through at the end of last season. "He told me 'I'm going to play. Me playing hurt, my presence will give a little confidence to the team."
Catcher Alex Avila is also quoted in the story saying that he's "definitely opened up a little more, knowing he's the face of the franchise."
Cabrera has also struggled with off the field problems stemming from alcohol abuse. In 2009 he was in the news for creating a domestic disturbance with his wife after a night of drinking before the Tigers lost their American League Central lead to the Minnesota Twins, according to ESPN.com. According to Yahoo! he spent three months in an outpatient program for alcoholism after the 2009 season. Cabrera was cited in 2011 for a DUI.
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