Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera's Performance, Conduct Proved His Critics Wrong

On a typical dreary mid-February morning in Michigan, while Detroit Tigers fans were undoubtedly looking forward to spring training and the eventual return of sunlight to their lives, All-Star slugger Miguel Cabrera ruined the Tigers season before it even started—at least that's what most in the media had us believe on that dark, winter day.

Don't get me wrong, drinking and driving is a major problem and nothing to be taken lightly.  Cabrera's arrest was especially scary. 

At best it showed a person who potentially had a serious problem handling alcohol, and at worst it showed a talented man on the verge of a meltdown.

Cabrera's naysayers would have had you believe the latter.

There were calls for his suspension, he was all but written off as an alcoholic and thousands of even less desirable comments from the public can be found attached to hundreds of columns contemplating his fate.

Despite all of the terrible publicity and factors working against him, the Tigers stuck with Cabrera as he promised to stay clean and turn his life around.

The result?  Cabrera turned in an outstanding, MVP-caliber effort in 2011.

A guy who some said should be outrighted before the season led the league in hitting.

He addressed the incident early, stuck to baseball, stayed out of trouble and was a key contributor to the 2011 AL Central Division Champion Tigers.

With the incident looming heavily, there was a lot working in Cabrera's favor. 

Off the field, he was fully supported by the organization and teammates.  On the field, the Tigers' success and the major publicity given to AL Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander, allowed Cabrera to be relatively anonymous despite the incident—something the introverted superstar relished.

Cabrera's line speaks for itself: .344 AVG, 30 HRs, 105 RBIs. 

He made every hitter around him better and was the key component in a lineup that was fourth in MLB in runs scored.

Not too long ago we were talking about whether or not Cabrera would ever play baseball again. Now we're once again asking if he's the best hitter in baseball.

Cabrera was vilified for the ugly incident when it happened, and because of this we'd be remiss not to recognize him for, thus far, getting his career and life back on track.

Time heals all wounds.  It also provides a chance at retribution, something Cabrera has succeeded tremendously at thus far.

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