Back in the fall of 2009 Miguel Cabrera went on a bender the last weekend of the season and wound up in the drunk tank at the local jail here in Metro Detroit.\u00c2\u00a0 This story has already been told before and if you are interested in the details \u00e2\u20ac\u201cjust Google it.\u00c2\u00a0 The problem is that the story is back with an all new twist as Miguel Cabrera was arrested and charged with a DUI and resisting arrest late Wednesday night in Florida 2 days before he is scheduled to report for Spring Training.<\/p>\n
In the aftermath of the first drinking episode back in 2009, I let my amateur writing style show and my emotions flow.\u00c2\u00a0 I jumped all over that story damning Miguel Cabrera and his baseball career\u00c2\u00a0for life and claiming that I would never be a fan of his again.\u00c2\u00a0 I swore up and down in my article that he was a nuisance to the Tigers and that he had brought shame to our \u00e2\u20ac\u0153righteous Franchise\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 that I was done with him and he was officially ousted from my little player favorites club (aka: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Venezuelan Brethren\u00e2\u20ac\u009d).\u00c2\u00a0 As days turned to weeks turned to months, Miguel came back to spring training 2010, spoke his apologies, showed off his leaner physique, talked to the media like he was a changed man and I forgave him.\u00c2\u00a0 In my little Tiger-lovin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 fan brain, all was right with the world. I was embarrassed that I had publicly ridiculed and lambasted the man because I jumped to conclusions, didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have my facts straight and wrote purely from emotions.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to play it a little safer this time than I did during his last go ’round.\u00c2\u00a0 That doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean that this situation doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t upset me but I learned from my past mistakes.<\/p>\n
It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard for a fan to not jump to conclusions when all the headline stories and breaking news reports are swirling around you, filling up your inbox, twitter feed, Face book status and general Internet surfing.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard not to get mad and want to shout it out (I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m told that anger is healthy\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 hmmm\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.).\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard not to pass judgments, express rage and throw the book at a player on your home team for stupid and unlawful behavior.\u00c2\u00a0 However, in this instance last night involving Miguel Cabrera, we fans need to sit back, take a breath and wait for all sides of the story to come to light before we get irrational.\u00c2\u00a0 Magazine and newspaper articles and twitter feeds are not always reliable.\u00c2\u00a0 Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wait till the whole story has been revealed from all sides and on all levels before drawing final conclusions and making irrational decisions and actions.<\/p>\n
I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not making excuses for the man.\u00c2\u00a0 What he did was wrong \u00e2\u20ac\u201c very, very, very wrong.\u00c2\u00a0 He was wrong for drinking after his last episode.\u00c2\u00a0 He was wrong for allegedly driving drunk.\u00c2\u00a0 He was wrong for not being responsible enough for getting a driver.\u00c2\u00a0 He was wrong for putting undue stress on his team.\u00c2\u00a0 He was wrong for supposedly lying to his fan base by telling us that he \u00e2\u20ac\u0153is a changed man\u00e2\u20ac\u009d then gets busted again for the same thing.\u00c2\u00a0 However, at the time he made his \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a changed man\u00e2\u20ac\u009d speech last spring; I believe he actually meant it.\u00c2\u00a0 This is a typical behavior of addicts.\u00c2\u00a0 And Miguel demonstrates all the characteristics of a man who has an addiction \u00e2\u20ac\u201c admitted to or not.<\/p>\n
I am no expert in addiction.\u00c2\u00a0 I was not raised in a home with alcoholic parents and I have never known the inside of a rehab facility personally.\u00c2\u00a0 But I do have some experience with\u00c2\u00a0very close friends\u00c2\u00a0who have towed the line and I was\u00c2\u00a0fortunate enough to have a front row seat to their behaviors, downfalls and missteps.\u00c2\u00a0 Addiction isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like a scab or the flu; it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like a hangover or a broken bone.\u00c2\u00a0 Addiction is a lifelong disease that is never fully expelled.\u00c2\u00a0 Addicts display repetitive behaviors with no regard for recognizing that their actions come with repercussions and consequences.\u00c2\u00a0 Without medical intervention and assistance, these patterns repeat and repeat until the addict \u00c2\u00a0hits bottom, hurts or kills \u00c2\u00a0themselves or someone else.\u00c2\u00a0 Rehab teaches the skills and coping mechanisms the addict needs to resist temptations and urges.\u00c2\u00a0 It is in no way cure or fix to the addiction disease.\u00c2\u00a0 And relapse happens\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 more frequently than not.\u00c2\u00a0 Almost all addicts relapse at least once.\u00c2\u00a0 But rarely are they as public as Miguel Cabrera\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s episode last night.<\/p>\n
Money and fame is usually brought into the argument mix when stories like this surface from time to time.\u00c2\u00a0 You hear a lot of fans say things like \u00e2\u20ac\u0153with all that money he should\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6..\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That man makes $xxxx per year, you would think he could keep himself clean for that paycheck.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 Or the ever famous \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If I was making as much as he is, I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be doing that\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.\u00c2\u00a0 The last statement strikes me odd \u00e2\u20ac\u201c would you?\u00c2\u00a0 How do you know what you would do in this situation?\u00c2\u00a0 How do you know what your actions and reactions would be?\u00c2\u00a0 More money only equals more problems.\u00c2\u00a0 Just because a baseball player or any sports star or celebrity figure is born with a God given talent that nets them a large paycheck doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean that they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have pitfalls, vices and hidden demons.\u00c2\u00a0 More money in the celebrity bank just allots for more media attention and more limelight which in\u00c2\u00a0most cases fuels the addiction cycle.\u00c2\u00a0 Money isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the only issue or contingency in the addiction equation and fans need to stop leaning on that as a crutch when formulating an argument about a situation.<\/p>\n
Another common battle cry amongst the Tigers fan base today was the supposed need to trade off Miguel Cabrera and his problems.\u00c2\u00a0 Wow\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 what a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153we are family, group hug, we love our team\u00e2\u20ac\u009d moment there.\u00c2\u00a0 This snap reaction shows ignorance.\u00c2\u00a0 If a player has a major headline mess-up moment (like Miguel has had here),\u00c2\u00a0that\u00c2\u00a0is not the time to trade them.\u00c2\u00a0 The whole idea of trading a player is to trade while trade value is at it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s highest to get the maximum out of the deal in return.\u00c2\u00a0 If a player is involved in a police issue or scandal, their stock is at it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all time lowest so trading would make no sense.\u00c2\u00a0 In the instance of Miguel Cabrera there is a major multi-year money deal on the line.\u00c2\u00a0 He makes on average of $20 million a year.\u00c2\u00a0 There aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t many teams that can shell out that amount of money or players to compensate that kind of investment. Not to mention the tag of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153head case\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153damaged goods\u00e2\u20ac\u009d that now has been applied to Miguel.\u00c2\u00a0 Teams don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like to take on excess emotional and social baggage with a trade no matter the caliber the player.<\/p>\n
If Miguel was a mediocre to sub par player, The Tigers cutting their losses after the 2nd major public offense would be the best option in the interest of the team.\u00c2\u00a0 However, a talent and player on the caliber of Miguel Cabrera is not just a player, he is an investment in the future of the franchise.\u00c2\u00a0 Miguel is arguably the best sports player in Detroit (yes, all 4 major sports teams included) it is in the best interest of the Tigers to work on correcting such a talent instead of cutting their losses and throwing him to the wind.<\/p>\n
This is the time that Tiger fans will really get to see what their organization is all about.\u00c2\u00a0 Not the players on the field, not the recruiting scouts behind the scenes, not the man wiping the seats in the stands or the lady popping popcorn – this is the time that fans find out what really lies at the heart and soul of their team.\u00c2\u00a0 The next move by the Tigers brass will indicate what kind of management they are.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 This is not a situation that can be written off and swept under the rug.\u00c2\u00a0 The Tigers need to impress upon Miguel that they will not tolerate these episodes happening any longer.\u00c2\u00a0 They need to reiterate to Miguel that they are willing to hold his place on the roster and his job is safe under the condition that the get into a treatment program.\u00c2\u00a0 Not a Charlie Sheen \u00e2\u20ac\u0153recover at home in ten days\u00e2\u20ac\u009d program, but an intense 90 day (or longer) in-facility therapy program with post patient followups.\u00c2\u00a0 No one can make the decision to enter rehab and treatment but Miguel, but the organization can make it very difficult on his life and career until he does.\u00c2\u00a0 The time to coddle is over, it is time for them to step up and be firm with their franchise player.\u00c2\u00a0 The worst thing the Tigers could do is let him skate and not do anything about this situation.\u00c2\u00a0 The second worse is to leave the decision solely up to him (as it is human nature to take the easiest way out).\u00c2\u00a0 This is a decision that needs to ultimately be made by him but needs to have the backing and strong urging of his friends, teammates, club management, and family.<\/p>\n
The Tigers brass may need to alter their thought processes when it comes to club policies as well.\u00c2\u00a0 Perhaps it is time to ban alcohol outright in the clubhouse and team plane. Granted these changes would stem from the miss-steps of one player but they could ultimately be an advantage to all the other players on the team present and future.\u00c2\u00a0 Who knows, there may be other problems with addiction lying under the surface in other players that could benefit from the exclusion of alcohol in common areas.\u00c2\u00a0 I am not allowed to drink in the break room at my job\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
For the now, the Tigers need to do what is best for Miguel.\u00c2\u00a0 He is the face and future of the franchise. In my opinion, it would be most beneficial to have him skip spring training and go away for intense rehab then come back to the team when he is ready.\u00c2\u00a0 Getting his head\u00c2\u00a0and health right now is far more beneficial than any\u00c2\u00a0home runs\u00c2\u00a0 he can hit in spring training.\u00c2\u00a0 Perhaps he needs an alcohol adviser or sponsor partner to be with him daily \u00e2\u20ac\u201c what ever is needed to get his head straight and keep these relapses from happening again.\u00c2\u00a0 Miguel will also need constant support from his family and team as he goes through this situation.\u00c2\u00a0 The time for slip ups is over for him, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s now or never to get it right and get it fixed.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 The health of the next 5 years of the Tigers relies heavily on Miguel and his ability to control his addiction.<\/p>\n
As for us fans, the best thing we can do is wait\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 wait to hear what the Tigers have to say about the situation in the coming days.\u00c2\u00a0 Wait to hear what the course of treatment will be for Miguel. Wait for Spring Training games to begin.\u00c2\u00a0 Wait to see the opening day lineup and accept that the face of your franchise is not going to be traded away for a bag of balls and a batting cage net because he is an addict and addicts relapse.\u00c2\u00a0 Go to a game and support your team \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the best thing you can do.<\/p>\n
Sorry seems to be the hardest words, especially if someone has said it over and over and over for the same reason.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes sorry becomes more of an excuse or explanation than a true apology.\u00c2\u00a0 This is how the Tigers fans would see an apology from Miguel if we were to hear from him today.\u00c2\u00a0 We have heard it once before and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to hear it again.\u00c2\u00a0 But eventually, the apologies will need to be made from the mouth of Miguel to the organization, his team mates, his fans, and to the media.\u00c2\u00a0 He will also have to wake up and realize that he has a problem that he can not fix on his own.\u00c2\u00a0 The man that Miguel lost the AL MVP award to in 2010 is a perfect example to follow.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Josh Hamilton epitomizes how things can go wrong, then right, slip off the tracks and then right the ship to the horizon.\u00c2\u00a0 Josh almost lost his career, his family and his life to drug addiction.\u00c2\u00a0 He went to rehab, cleaned it up and got his career back.\u00c2\u00a0 Then in 2009 he relapsed through some widely publicized photos\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 but he cleaned it back up and went on to win the AL MVP and take the Rangers to the clubs first ever world series.\u00c2\u00a0 Addiction can never be cured but it can be controlled and Miguel needs to get on that path now or watch his potential Hall of Fame career derail before it truly flourishes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Back in the fall of 2009 Miguel Cabrera went on a bender the last weekend of the season and wound up in the drunk tank at the local jail here in Metro Detroit.\u00c2\u00a0 This story has already been told before and if you are interested in the details \u00e2\u20ac\u201cjust Google it.\u00c2\u00a0 The problem is that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":352,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[8608,13207,1011,6111,13201,13203,13193,13194,13199,2611,13198,13205,13192,13195,3418,13200,13206,13204,13191,13196,85,13197,13202],"class_list":["post-12070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","tag-99s","tag-a0","tag-baseball-career","tag-bender","tag-bengals","tag-brethren","tag-drunk-tank","tag-face-book","tag-general-internet","tag-google","tag-internet-surfing","tag-judgments","tag-little-tiger","tag-metro-detroit","tag-miguel-cabrera","tag-new-twist","tag-news-reports","tag-nuisance","tag-player-favorites","tag-resisting-arrest","tag-spring-training","tag-style-show","tag-writing-style"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t