Detroit Tigers veteran Miguel Cabrera walked from the on-deck circle to home plate Friday in front of 22,107 fans. The crowd at Comerica Park stood and offered Cabrera — one home run away from No. 500 — an ovation in the first inning.
Before each pitch, the ballpark went silent.
When Cabrera struck out in his first at-bat, he still received plenty of cheers on his way back to the dugout. It's only a matter of time before the 38-year-old becomes the 28th player in MLB history to reach 500 home runs.
As the Tigers (57-61) lost to Cleveland, 7-4, in Friday's return to Comerica Park, beginning a six-game homestand, Cabrera didn't pick up a home run, so his milestone chase continues Saturday in front of what could be the largest crowd of the season.