Detroit Tigers rookie makes history with four-hit debut on Opening Day
· Yahoo Sports
Baseball’s No. 2 prospect batted sixth in the Detroit Tigers lineup on Opening Day in San Diego.
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Fortunately, rookie Kevin McGonigle didn’t have to wait long to get his first career at-bat out of the way.
With one out in the top of the first inning, four consecutive Tigers reached base against Padres starter Nick Pivetta. McGonigle, a 21-year-old third baseman, came to the plate with a run in and the bases loaded.
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He ripped the first pitch he saw down the right-field line for a two-run double that gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead. Detroit cruised to an 8-2 victory.
That was just the start of a big day for the rookie. He finished 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. According to MLB, McGonigle is the sixth player since 1900 to collect four hits in his debut on Opening Day.
“Yeah, I was nervous,” McGonigle told MLB.com. “It’s weird, I felt like right when I started my load to hit, it just went away.”
McGonigle joined Billy Bean as the only Tigers to strike for four hits in their MLB debuts. The list of other major leaguers to do it includes Hall of Famers Willie McCovey, Kirby Puckett and Willie Keeler.
Not surprisingly, the performance impressed Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.
“If that’s the nervous version of him, we’re in for a fun year,” Hinch said.
Hopes are high for the Tigers in 2026. Detroit boasts a promising young lineup to go along with reigning AL Cy Young starter Tarik Skubal, free-agent signee Framber Valdez and veteran Justin Verlander.
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