ATLANTA -- Miguel Cabrera never played with Jose Fernandez, but the tragic death of the Marlins' pitcher in Cabrera's offseason hometown of Miami hit him hard. It still resonates with him. It also left him with a lesson.
"Never take anything for granted," Cabrera said after his season ended suddenly on Sunday in the Tigers' 1-0 loss.
Cabrera meant that about life, and he meant that about baseball. A bad game isn't the end of the world. But it's also important to appreciate every game.
"Never take anything for granted," Cabrera repeated, "and try to play every game no matter what.