AL Central

Opinions on Miguel Cabrera following his recent DUI arrest have varied widely. The media and fans have spun the situation as anything from a "boys will be boys" story to "take the season off for rehab."

We all know that alcoholism isn't something to laugh about and should be handled very delicately. What we don't know is the extent that alcohol has had a grasp on Miguel Cabrera.

The team that started the whole bobble-head collectible scene for Major League Baseball is at it again, this time with a figurine immortalizing a highly controversial play from the 1991 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins.

This coming season will be the 20th anniversary of what ESPN ranked as the best World Series ever played.

The bobble head commemorates one of the most memorable plays of a World Series filled with them. 

Joe Mauer is the face of the Minnesota Twins. His list of credentials is impressive.

In six full seasons of Major League Baseball he has earned three batting titles, three Gold Gloves, four Silver Slugger awards, four All-Star game appearances and was named league MVP in 2009. He's been featured on the cover of Sony's PlayStation MLB the Show for 2010 and again this year.

In 2007, the Cleveland Indians were one game away from their first world series in 10 years and most likely, the Tribe would have won the World Series against a Rockies team that eventually got swept by the Red Sox. However, after the unfortunate ending to a great season, expectations were high for the Tribe in 2008. But after injuries to key players, some bad luck and less then spectacular starting pitching, the season took a turn for the worst and the Indians were forced to clean house.

Another day, another division to discuss.  Today we will take a look at the AL Central, a division that always has a great race leading up to the decided champion. Last year, the Twins were able to beat out the White Sox for the only playoff position awarded to an AL Central team. However, the Twins were subsequently bounced by the Yankees in the ALDS with little resistance. They are looking for an improvement from last year's result, but they have to watch out for the other teams in the division that will be breathing down their neck.

Miguel Cabrera should not be playing baseball in 2011. Let's be clear about that right away. The fact that we are even discussing this is sad.

Cabrera has a problem—a really, really serious problem. If he does not get this figured out and straightened out, it won't matter how many home runs he hits or how many runs he drives in. It won't matter because Cabrera the man will be dead.

In the rotation, they have (blank) and who else?

Where is Sizemore playing?

How long will Hafner be on the DL this season?

All of these questions have been asked in one form or another this offseason. That’s not what makes them interesting.

What makes them interesting is that they were actual questions raised on veteranpresence.com in the spring of 2007. Tribe fans everywhere remember that 2007 was the last year the Indians were relevant, and that was coming off a 78-84 campaign.

Let's get one thing out of the way right now.

Miguel Cabrera is no Bobby Layne.

Layne, the liquor-guzzling quarterback for the Lions in the 1950s, was a drunk, but a happy, functioning drunk.

Layne's drinking binges were legendary and almost romanticized.

In an era of back-pedaling and whining about being "taken out of context," Chicago White Sox hurler Mark Buehrle is taking a different approach to spin control after making comments that caused a stir last week.

Buehrle's being honest and taking ownership of his opinion.  Even if it's not the popular opinion.

How refreshing.

Last season, Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was one of baseball's best stories. After blowing more than three times the legal limit after a domestic dispute with his wife in October, Cabrera underwent treatment, cleaned up his act and had a career season, finishing second in the AL MVP voting behind Josh Hamilton.