Detroit Tigers

I grew up just outside Motown, during a time when the Detroit Tigers, much like the local economy, toiled to stay afloat in the midst of global change. This was the late-1990s.

Alcohol is a problem that affects not only the richest of athletes and businessmen, but also the middle- and lower-class workers who need a "relief" from their everyday stress.

Most know of the consequences and repercussions of taking a sip, but does that stop most individuals?

Most of the time, no.

When you think of the Detroit Tigers over the last few years, who are the players that come to mind?

Magglio Ordonez or Ivan Rodriguez? Carlos Guillen, Brandon Inge and Johnny Damon?

It always seems like the Tigers are the oldest team in the league. This season, however, that could not be farther from the truth.

On their 40-man roster, Detroit has only nine players over the age of 31.

Miguel Cabrera: We don’t know the whole story and we may never know the whole story. 

The two parts that trouble me most about this story are, “Do you know who I am?” and, “You don’t know anything about my problems.” 

No, Miguel, I don’t know anything about your problems. But I really don’t care any more about your problems than you care about mine. 

It's impossible to judge Miguel Cabrera. During a news conference yesterday, last season's runner-up for the AL MVP award expressed regret and was apologetic for his actions that led to an arrest for suspicion of drunken driving and resisting arrest without violence nine days ago.

Cabrera, 27, will undergo treatment set up by doctors administrated by management and its players union.

In a process facilitated by MLB, medical specialists have evaluated Miguel Cabrera and recommended an outpatient rehabilitation program to deal with his alcohol related issues which re-emergered following his arrest last week for a DUI. 

Cabrera was also charged with two misdemeanor resisting arrest charges without violence.

Miguel Cabrera was arrested last week and charged with suspicion of DUI and resisting officers without violence.  This is not the first time Cabrera has had an incident related to alcohol use.  The way the Tigers and MLB are handling the situation, it may not be the last. One thing is certain, Cabrera needs help.

Any time you can follow one of the five best starters in the American League (Justin Verlander) with a guy who has averaged more than a strikeout per inning over his career (Max Scherzer), you’ve got the makings of a good rotation.  After that, though, the Tigers need some things to go their way to make it a successful season.

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.

Cut Miguel Cabrera.  Trade Miguel Cabrera.  Send him to rehab without knowing anything about the entire scope of his situation.  These are the things I'm hearing.

Here's what I'm saying.  We know very little about the magnitude of Cabrera's problem.  And we may never fully know everything, but we need to let more time pass to learn about the situation.