Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Via Jeff Passan, we've got some delicious quotes from Jim Leyland about recently busted (really) drunk driver Miguel Cabrera. The first one actually seems reasonable enough:
"I think Miguel Cabrera is probably going to have the biggest year of his life."
Okay, so maybe it's not that reasonable. Cabrera had the biggest year of his life last year, and that's a hard act to follow. Especially when it looks like you might be a raging drunk who might wind up in rehab. After the jump, Leyland deploys more hyperbole, then spices up the proceedings with a barnyard epithet ...
"Miguel Cabrera is in the best shape of his life. He's stronger than he's ever been. And he's quicker than he's ever been."
Now he's just toying with us, right? The best shape of his life, really? I think Leyland is secretly an Internet junkie and knows all about memes.
And the big finish:
"It has no effect. It might make some dramatic reading material. It's not going to do shit. Believe me. Nothing."
Leyland might be right. His reasoning, I think, is that Cabrera's been an alcoholic for a long time, and for a long time he's been one of the best hitters on the planet. Why should anything change now?
15 comments
Comments
Alcoholic Schmalcoholic
I know the recurring theme is that Miguel Cabrera is a big fat drunk, but honestly I’ve been really drunk twice in an 18-month span before. Sure, I’ve never gotten a DUI, but I know plenty of people who have and most of them are not what I would consider to be alcoholics.
In any case, no one died and Miggy will probably just pay a fine and have to hire a driver for a while. I’m with Leyland.
by Stephen Waterman on Feb 18, 2011 10:19 AM EST reply actions
I agree
Not everyone who gets drunk is an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a disease, but not the only reason people get drunk. Especially people in their mid 20s.
by Horus25 on Feb 18, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
Okay, you’ve been wasted twice in an 18-month span. Have you been arrested for heavy drinking twice in that span? And one of those times was right before a crucial test for your organization? And the other was when it was very very important for your career that you not be caught drunk driving?
Also, “no one died” is a really gross thing to say in defense of a drunk driver. I guess since he was lucky enough not to hit someone, he must not have a problem! We’ll wait until he does run someone over to do something.
by tomemos on Feb 18, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
+1
by PriceJD on Feb 18, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Never been arrested for anything, I’m happy to report, but I suppose this makes you think my opinion is less valuable? After all, only criminals know crime. I’ve been drunk enough to miss work the next day and any drunk driving arrest would probably throw my whole world (not just my career) into upheaval, but of course I’ve still done it.
And in fairness to Cabrera, he wasn’t even driving when he was spotted. I’m guessing it was the imaginary friend that set him up. No wonder he told the cops he wanted to kill him.
by Stephen Waterman on Feb 18, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
??
You’re the one who brought up your experience as some kind of bolster to your opinion. I’m just pointing out that the party animal reputation which you treasure so dearly is different than what we’re talking about with Cabrera, who—right before a crucial one-game playoff—got wasted, beat his wife, and helped end the Tigers’ season. He went into treatment and tried to quit drinking. Now he’s again been arrested, drunk and belligerent, right before his team needs him again. Does none of that sound problematic to you?
Once you’re as important to your job as Cabrera is to his, your missing work with a hangover will be as significant as it is for him.
by tomemos on Feb 18, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, what exactly is your point?
That drunk driving isn’t a big deal? Or that it’s ok if you only get caught after you’ve already overheated your car?
by PriceJD on Feb 18, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
I think the point is that his “alcoholism” is overblown by his celebrity. There are plenty of people who have had a worse 18-months with alcohol and can manage both their careers and lives just fine.
by Stephen Waterman on Feb 18, 2011 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
At what point would you conclude that Cabrera is not managing his life and career? How would that look different from what’s going on now?
Maybe the point is that it’s harder for professional athletes to be functioning heavy drinkers, and if Cabrera wants to keep being a pro athlete he’ll have to turn his life around anyway, regardless of whether or not he’s a “real” alcoholic.
by tomemos on Feb 18, 2011 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
When his career or life suffer in any way. Didn’t you see the mug shot? He was already over the whole incident before he was done being booked. At what point did you conclude that his life is in a downward spiral?
Like I said, I’m with Leyland. Dombrowski and the organization will probably say something to calm down all the people who feigned outrage and then life will move on and Cabrera will put up MVP numbers again this season.
by Stephen Waterman on Feb 18, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Wow, good point.
James Brown also smiled in his mugshot after leading police on a high-speed chase, then spent the next six years in prison. All that can be extrapolated from Miguel Cabrera’s smile is that he’s a dumbass who doesn’t realize what hes doing with his life.
by PriceJD on Feb 18, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, Craig Calcaterra cleverly extrapolated a whole lot more out of it than that! http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/17/miguel-cabreras-mugshot-is-interesting/
In any case, I think it’s safe to say that we all disagree. I think this will essentially be a non-issue, you guys think he has a serious problem. At least one of us will probably even be right. But this is a pretty lame thing to be talking about this many comments in. (Especially considering it’s my first comment on SBNation.)
So, well, I hope to see you both again in the comment section, where we can talk about something… uh, well, probably equally trivial, but at least more exciting!
by Stephen Waterman on Feb 18, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
Ok, kudos.
Only time will tell.
by PriceJD on Feb 18, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
grr the ads
I know the site needs to make money but misdirecting the page to an ad is by far the most obnoxious way to go about it.
by JaySchu on Feb 18, 2011 10:37 AM EST reply actions
Miggy 2011 = .450 wOBA
Deal with it
by cloud computer on Feb 18, 2011 3:33 PM EST reply actions
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