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Miguel Cabrera clinches 2012 Triple Crown

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera became the first Triple Crown winner since 1967 on Wednesday night.

Ed Zurga - Getty Images

Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has clinched the American League Triple Crown. Despite going hitless in two at-bats on Wednesday in Kansas City, Cabrera finished with a .330 batting average, four points clear of Mike Trout of the Angels. His 44 home runs bested Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton and Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson, who was removed from Wednesday's game against Boston despite having a chance to tie Cabrera. Cabrera recorded 139 RBI, 11 more than Hamilton.

Cabrera is the first Triple Crown winner since Carl Yastrzemski won the batting average, home run and RBI titles in 1967. Cabrera becomes the 17th Triple Crown winner of all time and the first Detroit Tiger to win it since Ty Cobb in 1909.

Cabrera was removed from Wednesday's game in the fourth inning, once it had become clear he would win the Triple Crown. He received a standing ovation from fans in Kansas City and took a curtain call. He will now return with the team to Detroit to prepare for the Tigers' upcoming playoff series with Oakland.