KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jim Leyland called it one of the most difficult games he’s ever had to manage, tougher than Game 7 of the World Series, even though there was nothing at stake for his team.
There was plenty at stake for his players.
Insight on the Nationals and all the latest news from Post reporters Adam Kilgore and James Wagner.
Video
The Washington Post’s Barry Svrluga, Chico Harlan, Adam Kilgore, James Wagner and columnist Thomas Boswell recall the journey of the Washington Nationals since the team moved from Montreal to winning its first division title in 77 years, and all the good and bad moments in between.
The spotlight Wednesday night was squarely on Miguel Cabrera, who became the first player in 45 years to win the Triple Crown. But there was also pressure on Austin Jackson to hit .300, and on Max Scherzer to show that his sore right shoulder was ready for the postseason.
Everything worked out perfectly for Leyland, including the outcome of the game — his AL Central champion Tigers beat Kansas City 1-0 on a double by Jackson in the fifth inning, which helped him achieve his own milestone.
“It was just a great night for baseball. It couldn’t have worked out better,” Leyland said afterward. “It was a weird evening, but everything turned out great.”
First and foremost for Cabrera, one of baseball’s most complete hitters.
He went 0 for 2 with a strikeout before leaving in the fourth inning, and finished with an AL-leading .330 average, 44 homers and 139 RBIs, becoming just the 15th player to win the Triple Crown. The last player to achieve it was Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
“Right now I feel most grateful,” Cabrera said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
Scherzer wound up pitching four innings for Detroit, which will open the postseason Saturday at home against Oakland. The bullpen took over from there, with Luis Marte (1-0) picking up the win and Luke Putkonen his first career save.
The only run of the game came off the Royals’ Luis Mendoza (8-10), though that was hardly relevant on what turned out to be a memorable night in Kansas City.
The crowd at Kauffman Stadium gave Cabrera a standing ovation before he flied out in the first inning. He struck out in the fourth inning but remained in the game, allowing Leyland to remove him with two outs to another standing ovation.
Cabrera high-fived his teammates as he descended into the Detroit dugout, and then sheepishly walked to the top step and waved his helmet, almost as if he’d been playing at home.
“Our fans are great. We’ve seen that all year,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Our whole team was doing the same thing, giving him a standing ovation. What he did was amazing.”
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig offered Cabrera his congratulations, calling the Triple Crown “a remarkable achievement that places him amongst an elite few in all of baseball history.”
“Miguel has long been one of the most accomplished hitters in the game,” Selig said, “and this recognition is one that he will be able to cherish for the rest of his career.”
Cabrera’s milestone wasn’t official until the Yankees pinch hit for Curtis Granderson in their game against the Boston Red Sox. Granderson had homered twice to reach 43 for the year, tied with the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton and one shy of the Tigers third baseman.
Cabrera finished four points better than the Angles’ Mike Trout, his biggest competition for MVP, to win his second straight batting title. Cabrera was the runaway leader with 139 RBIs.
There was plenty at stake for his players.
Insight on the Nationals and all the latest news from Post reporters Adam Kilgore and James Wagner.Video
The Washington Post’s Barry Svrluga, Chico Harlan, Adam Kilgore, James Wagner and columnist Thomas Boswell recall the journey of the Washington Nationals since the team moved from Montreal to winning its first division title in 77 years, and all the good and bad moments in between.
The spotlight Wednesday night was squarely on Miguel Cabrera, who became the first player in 45 years to win the Triple Crown. But there was also pressure on Austin Jackson to hit .300, and on Max Scherzer to show that his sore right shoulder was ready for the postseason.
Everything worked out perfectly for Leyland, including the outcome of the game — his AL Central champion Tigers beat Kansas City 1-0 on a double by Jackson in the fifth inning, which helped him achieve his own milestone.
“It was just a great night for baseball. It couldn’t have worked out better,” Leyland said afterward. “It was a weird evening, but everything turned out great.”
First and foremost for Cabrera, one of baseball’s most complete hitters.
He went 0 for 2 with a strikeout before leaving in the fourth inning, and finished with an AL-leading .330 average, 44 homers and 139 RBIs, becoming just the 15th player to win the Triple Crown. The last player to achieve it was Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
“Right now I feel most grateful,” Cabrera said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling.”
Scherzer wound up pitching four innings for Detroit, which will open the postseason Saturday at home against Oakland. The bullpen took over from there, with Luis Marte (1-0) picking up the win and Luke Putkonen his first career save.
The only run of the game came off the Royals’ Luis Mendoza (8-10), though that was hardly relevant on what turned out to be a memorable night in Kansas City.
The crowd at Kauffman Stadium gave Cabrera a standing ovation before he flied out in the first inning. He struck out in the fourth inning but remained in the game, allowing Leyland to remove him with two outs to another standing ovation.
Cabrera high-fived his teammates as he descended into the Detroit dugout, and then sheepishly walked to the top step and waved his helmet, almost as if he’d been playing at home.
“Our fans are great. We’ve seen that all year,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Our whole team was doing the same thing, giving him a standing ovation. What he did was amazing.”
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig offered Cabrera his congratulations, calling the Triple Crown “a remarkable achievement that places him amongst an elite few in all of baseball history.”
“Miguel has long been one of the most accomplished hitters in the game,” Selig said, “and this recognition is one that he will be able to cherish for the rest of his career.”
Cabrera’s milestone wasn’t official until the Yankees pinch hit for Curtis Granderson in their game against the Boston Red Sox. Granderson had homered twice to reach 43 for the year, tied with the Rangers’ Josh Hamilton and one shy of the Tigers third baseman.
Cabrera finished four points better than the Angles’ Mike Trout, his biggest competition for MVP, to win his second straight batting title. Cabrera was the runaway leader with 139 RBIs.