Weeklong festivities planned for Miggy's farewell

This story was excerpted from Jason Beck’s Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Miguel Cabrera’s final week as a Major League player is coming into place, including Miggy Appreciation Weekend for the season-ending series against Cleveland.

The celebration begins Friday’s 6:40 p.m. ET game against the Guardians. Pregame festivities will focus on Miggy “The Person,” noting his Venezuelan roots, his connection with fans and his impact in the community. Michigan-born actor and Tigers fan J.K. Simmons will narrate a pregame video presentation. Video tributes will showcase recipients of the Cabrera Family Scholarship as well as others who have benefited from the efforts of the Miguel Cabrera Foundation.

The Comerica Landing area will feature Venezuelan music, Latin food and drink options. All fans through the gates will receive a commemorative Miggy comic book cover celebrating his accomplishments. Instead of Friday night fireworks, the Tigers have set up their first-ever postgame drone show, with drones flying in formation to depict some of the great moments and milestones of Cabrera’s career with audio and video in support.

Saturday’s 1:10 p.m. game is expected to be the peak of the Miggy festivities, focusing on “The Player” and his incredible on-field accomplishments. The first 15,000 fans will receive a Miguel Cabrera Print-All-Over T-shirt. Pregame ceremonies will include a series of guest speakers and video tributes, culminating with gifts presented by the Tigers organization and Cabrera’s teammates in what will likely be an emotional presentation.

Sunday’s 3:10 start is “The Curtain Call” as the focus turns to the final game and Cabrera’s farewell. All fans in attendance will receive a Miggy cheer card, which will be used as part of the festivities.

If you’re looking to catch Miggy one last time, you still have a chance, though they get slimmer as the week goes on. Tickets are still available for Friday’s game and surrounding festivities, but seats are more limited for Saturday’s matinee. Sunday’s season finale is down to standing-room tickets. The series is tracking to draw Comerica Park’s first 100,000 attendance for a three-game set since 2016.

If the weekend doesn’t work, the Tigers host the Royals on Tuesday and Wednesday night at 6:40 ahead of a Thursday matinee at 1:10. The first 15,000 fans to Thursday’s game will receive a Miggy commemorative poster with artwork featuring Miggy on a throne with a crown in front of Comerica Park, a tiger at his side.

In addition to all the festivities inside the park, the Miggy-themed pop-up dining experience, featuring Venezuelan cuisine from El Rey de las Arepas, is open all week across Woodward on W. Columbia St., featuring some of Cabrera’s favorite food. A Miggy sampler includes a mini arepa -- chicken, beef or vegetarian -- along with sweet plantains and a mini cachapa, a pancake-like dish made from corn batter.

Part of the proceeds benefit the Miguel Cabrera Foundation, which helps support youth sports, children and family support, and funds scholarships for first-generation college students in Detroit and Miami.

The pop-up is open before every game this week:

Tuesday: 3:30-7 p.m.
Wednesday: 3:30-7 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Friday: 3:30-7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.