Is Miguel Cabrera related to Melky Cabrera? Explaining the connection between two MLB stars

Miguel Cabrera made news around the baseball world when he announced that he would be retiring following the 2023 MLB season. After 21 seasons, one of the most iconic players is finally calling it quits.

Miguel Cabrera began his career in 2003, winning the World Series as a rookie for the Miami Marlins. The 39-year-old Venezuelan came to the Detroit Tigers in 2008. As of February 2023, Cabrera had 507 career home runs and 1,847 RBIs. He was also the last player to win the Triple Crown, doing so after leading the league in home runs, RBIs and batting averages in 2012.

"Baseball will be losing another all time great this upcoming season. Miguel Cabrera will join Adam Wainwright in retirement" - @ Janelle Dunn

Cabrera is often confused with Melky Cabrera, an outfielder who played from 2005 to 2019. Melky Cabrera, on the other hand, is from the Dominican Republic and is not related to Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers.

Melky Cabrera began playing for the New York Yankees in 2005. He had a few average seasons with the Yankees before departing the team in 2010. After a few teams in between, Cabrera found himself with the San Francisco Giants in 2012.

That was the year that Cabrera went from a lesser-known outfielder to one of the most widely-praised bats in the league. Melky Cabrera had 11 home runs, 60 RBIs, and a .346 batting average in 2012.

In August of that year, Melky Cabrera was found to have abnormal levels of testosterone, and he later admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs. Cabrera was suspended for 50 games before finally retiring as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019.

"Melky Cabrera on his suspension:" - @ James

Cabrera is a very common surname in the Spanish-speaking world. Other players with the surname include former Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. There have also been countless lesser-known players at all levels of North American baseball to have the surname Cabrera.

Don't get Miguel Cabrera confused with Melky

Miguel Cabrera will almost certainly gain admittance to the Baseball Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible. Meanwhile, Melky Cabrera has scarred his success with the use of steroids and will never make the Hall of Fame.