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Detroit Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson, right, celebrates with Jake Rogers, left, and Kevin McGonigle (7) after hitting a three-run home run against the Athletics during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Detroit.<\/p>\n
Duane Burleson\/AP Photo\/Duane Burleson<\/p>\n
Detroit Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle (7) hits a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in New York.<\/p>\n
Frank Franklin II\/AP Photo\/Frank Franklin II<\/p>\n
Detroit Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle reacts after being left on base after the third out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n
LM Otero\/AP Photo\/LM Otero<\/p>\n
Detroit Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle reacts to his two-run home rune against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning Friday, July 10, 2026, in Detroit.<\/p>\n
Paul Sancya\/AP Photo\/Paul Sancya<\/p>\n
DETROIT (AP) \u2014 Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle can’t wait to go home for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI’m super pumped,\u201d McGonigle said Sunday before facing his hometown Phillies.<\/p>\n
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Even though McGonigle is just 21, he has had a lot of travel bags for baseball.<\/p>\n
None, though, was like the white one sitting on the carpeted floor next to his chair in the Tigers’ clubhouse. The duffel bag was adorned with the All-Star Game logo and there was an Old English D on each end.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d say this is the best one I’ve ever had,\u201d McGonigle said.<\/p>\n
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Since the first All-Star Game in 1933, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and Hall of Famer Al Kaline are the two players who have reached base safely more often than McGonigle at the break.<\/p>\n
The Tigers thought McGonigle would be good, but no one could have projected this much production so early in his career.<\/p>\n
Detroit drafted McGonigle with the No. 37 pick in 2023 and he spent two-plus years in the minor leagues, skipping a stop at Triple-A Toledo, as a promising prospect.<\/p>\n
Shortly after McGonigle made the major league roster during spring training and had four hits in his debut, the franchise saw enough to give him a $150 million, eight-year contract.<\/p>\n
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So far, it certainly looks like a wise investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s so impressive how mature he is in the box,\u201d Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene said. \u201cYou don’t see many people at 21 having at-bats as good as him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since 1947, he is the fifth rookie 21 or younger to have at least 99 hits before the All-Star Game.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s a good-looking, young player,\u201d said Phillies manager Don Mattingly, who was quite a player himself. “Young guys seem to be coming up a lot more often, and doing well right away.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSeeing him in the spring, he swung the bat. In spring you kind of go, ‘OK, we’ll see,’ with young guys and then obviously, he has taken it into the season and he’s still rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGonigle, who was born in Media, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in nearby Drexel Hill, shared his picks for the best cheesesteaks in the Philadelphia area ahead of the Home Run Derby on Monday night and the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
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Stay informed, and entertained.<\/p>\n
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use<\/a> and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cDelco\u2019s Steaks in Delaware County, which is where I’m from, is my favorite,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the city, Philip\u2019s is a sleeper. There’s a different way they cut the meat, and it’s really good.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n