Coming off his sensational 2012 MVP season in which he won MLB's first Triple Crown since 1967 (Yaz) Miguel Cabrera could only regress right? Wrong. The best hitter in the game today stayed locked putting up another video game stat line in 2013 to win back-to-back American League Most Valuable Player honors. It wasn't another Triple Crown season for the Detroit Tigers' slugger but based on sheer numbers 2013 was actually an improvement from the year before. He matched his 2012 total with 44 home runs increased his batting average 18 points to .348 and improved his OBP and Slugging for a mind-boggling 1.078 OPS. Only his RBIs dropped from 139 to 137 but that certainly wasn't Miggy's fault. The Tigers won the AL pennant in 2012 before succumbing to the San Francisco Giants in the Fall Classic so Miggy was determined to get them back to the postseason in 2013. He succeeded but the Tigers ran into another team of destiny the eventual World Champion Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. During Detroit's 2013 playoff run Miggy wore the batting helmet presented here for three games including Game 3 of the ALDS vs. Oakland plus Games 4 and 5 of the ALCS vs. Boston. Each game has been documented in the MLB Authentication database and can be backed by the attached game photos from Getty.

Miggy's navy blue Tigers batting helmet has the Detroit "D" on the front and comes with the left ear protection flap utilized by many right-handed hitters. His no. "24" and "2013 POSTSEASON" decals are stuck to the rear along with the MLB Auth. hologram (EK862526). The outer shell design has three air holes on each side plus two more in the ear flap for ventilation. The interior has the Rawlings and MLB On Field Equipment tags Rawlings 100 MPH performance and warning stickers and 7 3/4 size sticker. The "Rawlings S100 Pro Comp" model is stamped to the rear interior padding. Marked in silver paint pen inside the helmet is Miggy's "7 3/4" hat size and three very important initials "JSG" which essentially serve as a team LOA for Tigers game-used items. The JS stands for Jim Schmakel the Tigers' longtime equipment manager. The G stands for gamer. This research can be found online courtesy of Tiger collectors. Game use on the helmet is evident on the shell with a few pine tar spots and contact marks from readjustment or bat rack storage. All components are completely intact. It's not everyday a postseason game-used piece like this from one of MLB's biggest stars comes to the hobby. Maybe 2015 is the year Miguel Cabrera adds a World Series ring to what may already be a first ballot Hall of Fame resume.

MLB Authentication hologram EK862526.