The Detroit Symphony Orchestra got its Mozart Festival started Thursday, and the Detroit Tigers were the first organization to help kick things off.

The three-week festival "takes a look at the famously light-hearted 18th century composer [Wolfgang Mozart] who challenged the status quo of European music," according to the festival's website.

Composer and director of the orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, gave Tigers veteran Miguel Cabrera a crack at leading the charge.

Cabrera did his best conductor impression, then gave Slatkin a thank-you pat on the backside.

The 11-time All-Star slugger displayed some finesse in swinging that baton.

He might not have much of a future conducting symphonies, but the 33-year-old proved his personality can help light up a room.

-- Josiah Turner