is teeming with folks eager to ask the quiet Tiger questions. How does it feel to be MVP? "Awesome." They laugh. How was it moving to third base? Cabrera points to his now-wide orbs. "See my eyes?" They laugh some more.

Cabrera's shift to third last season to accommodate incoming first baseman Prince Fielder was a huge hit with the locals. A first baseman since 2008, Cabrera began training for his new job immediately upon Fielder's signing last January, staying late to take grounders during spring training. "That kind of sacrifice for the good of the team rubs people in a good way, especially in a blue-collar town like Detroit," says Andrew Travis, 27, a fan. Nobody appreciated it more than Fielder. "For a superstar to do what hean ice-breaker: "Whatchya watching?" No response. Another excruciating minute later, Miggy mercifully offered the pitcher his phone. On the screen was an image of Cabrera's baby son, a tiny bat in his hands. Verlander laughed heartily. "That's awesome," he said.

Back at the auto show, the rest of the team scatters to gawk at the latest rides. But Miggy couldn't look more bored. "Not a car guy?" I ask him. "Naw," Cabrera replies. I concur: "Waste of f -- ing money." He nods. "You curse so much," he says. Damn, strike one.

Cabrera eventually sees something he likes, a Jeep Wrangler Sand Trooper. My high school ride was a '92 Wrangler, I tell him, "the girls f -- ing loved it." Whoops, strike two. I'm toast.

But wait -- Cabrera's smiling.