Miguel Cabrera has his new manager's back.
To those who say the Astros' World Series title in 2017 is tainted by the sign-stealing scandal that led to the firing and suspension of A.J. Hinch, Cabrera says the scandal has never made him think differently about Houston's championship.
"That's bulls**t," Cabrera told ESPN's Marly Rivera. "I don't care about that."
Hinch was fired by the Astros and suspended by Major League Baseball for the 2020 season after a formal investigation showed he didn't do enough as the club's manager to stop an illegal sign-stealing system that tipped off Houston's hitters to incoming pitches. He was hired by the Tigers last October.
Cabrera said he dismisses the scandal because the Astros were a talented team without stealing signs -- and because hitting big-league pitching is difficult either way.
"In the end ... it's baseball," he said. "[Try to] go ahead and do it like those guys did."
Cabrera, who turns 38 in April, said he has enjoyed playing for Hinch this spring regardless of what happened in the past.
"He's a really smart guy, a passionate guy. He's an honest man, a very special man. He knows a lot about baseball. He has great communication with us. I don't care what they did in Houston. He [was] a big part of the success Houston had the last three to five years," said Cabrera.
Hinch, likewise, said last week he has enjoyed getting to know Cabrera, who's aiming for two major milestones -- and a few more games at first base -- in 2021.
"I didn’t know how he was going to be, I’ve never been around him consistently. He’s such a fun guy to see every day," said Hinch. "He keeps things light, he interacts, he’s the oldest guys in our clubhouse but he still has that youthful spirit to him. I think he’s loved playing a little first base. I’m not going to break him, I’m not going to play him so much out there that I jeopardize his season, but he’s into it.
"And I think some new moves have sparked him a little bit. He looks around and he’s got a great friend in Wilson Ramos behind the plate, he’s got Nomar Mazara who’s going to play in the outfield, Robbie Grossman’s a great addition. That kickstarts Miggy’s year with the belief that things are going to be better for our team, so I’ve loved being around him."
While Hinch is fully focused on the Tigers these days, he reiterated to ESPN that he'll "never not apologize" for his involvement in a black mark on the sport of baseball.
"I was in charge of something that was terribly wrong, and I paid my consequences. I was suspended. I'll never forget it. I'll never not answer the question. I'll never not apologize. But I've got a job to do," he said. " I'm going to be fully focused on that. And I would just appreciate if (the fans) would give me a chance."
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