Miguel Cabrera Named Protect Michigan Commission Co-Chair

LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has named Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera as the co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission, a group that aims to promote the state's COVID-19 vaccination and educaion efforts.

In a news release issued Wednesday morning, officials said "Miggy," an 11-time Major League Baseball All-star and two-time American League Most Valuable Player winner, volunteered for the position.

“We are grateful that ‘Miggy’ is stepping up to the plate to help inform Michiganders on the importance of getting their COVID-19 vaccinations,” Whitmer said in a statement Wednesday. “We appreciate the tremendous support and advocacy from the Detroit Tigers because this is an all-hands-on-deck moment in our state’s effort to persevere and overcome the pandemic.”

Cabrera joined the Tigers in 2007. He and the Tigers have offered to produce public service announcements in both English and Spanish encouraging Michiganders to get vaccinated and take other measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

In a statement released Wednesday, Cabrera said he was "honored" by Whitmer's appointment and looks forward to using his platform to increase awareness on how to get vaccinated.

“Based on what I know from getting vaccinated already, the shots are nowhere near as bad as the virus," he said. "Our goal with the Commission is to get as many people vaccinated as possible, and I hope my support toward that end is successful.”

Whitmer created the Protect Michigan Commission in January. The appointees represent a diverse array of industries, professions and backgrounds. Housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, they aim to ensure every Michigander has a plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19 once the opportunity becomes available. Their goal is facilitating at least 100,000 shots in arms daily.

Michigan has administered 6,657,997 vaccines to date. Currently, 48.8 percent of Michiganders ages 16 and older have received at least one dose, with 35.9 percent of Michiganders ages 16 and older being fully vaccinated.