JUPITER, FLA. (AP) - Detroit first baseman Miguel Cabrera said he remains focused on baseball following the release of the police report detailing his February arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.
Cabrera was the first Tiger on the field Friday, running through his routine conditioning drills. Afterward, he fielded questions from the media before Detroit’s game against St. Louis, though a team official wouldn’t allow direct questions about his off-field issues.
“You’ve got to be step by step, you’ve got to be day by day,” said Cabrera, who went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs batting cleanup against the Cardinals.
“I don’t think about what is going to happen tomorrow. I’m focused about today’s games. If we are going to play the Cardinals, I’m focused on what I have to do to be ready to play the game today. That’s my goal _ taking it day by day.”
Documents released by the Florida state attorney’s office Thursday say Cabrera threatened a restaurant manager shortly before being arrested in Fort Pierce on Feb. 16.
Cabrera said the latest revelations aren’t affecting how he approaches spring training.
“That’s my work,” he said. “I’m here to win games and play baseball. I don’t have anything else to say about that.”
Following the game, Cabrera responded to a question about the dashboard camera video that accompanied the police report with a simple, “Next question.”
Detroit manager Jim Leyland echoed Cabrera’s desire to answer only baseball questions.
“I’m sick of talking about this,” Leland said sharply. “I’ve told everybody for the last time, this is being handled by professional people that are dealing with the situation and will continue to deal with the situation, and I’m tired of guys coming in here looking for (expletive).
“It is what it is. You guys probably have more information than I do. The organization, the commissioners office and everyone else is on board. The situation is being dealt with. End of the conversation.”
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