KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Miguel
Cabrera became the 15th player to win baseball's Triple Crown on
Wednesday night, the reluctant superstar thrust into the spotlight after
joining an elite list that includes Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Lou
Gehrig.
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
Cabrera.
Cabrera went 0 for 2 against the
Royals before leaving in the fourth inning to a standing ovation. He
finished the regular season with a .330 average, four points better than the
Angels' Mike Trout, his biggest competition for MVP. Cabrera was the
runaway leader with 139 RBIs.
Boston's Carl Yastrzemski was the last player to achieve the Triple Crown in 1967.
"I am glad that he accomplished
this while leading his team to the American League Central title,"
Yastrzemski said in a statement. "I was fortunate enough to win this
award in 1967 as part of the Red Sox's 'Impossible Dream Team.'"