The Detroit Tigers didn’t waste a moment in announcing their blockbuster eight-year, $150 million deal with rising star Kevin McGonigle. By 11 AM on Wednesday, the news was out, and just a few hours later, McGonigle, along with Jeff Greenberg and Scott Harris, were suited up and facing the press.
McGonigle kicked things off with heartfelt gratitude directed at his family, who were there to share the moment. His parents, brother, and a number of his Tigers teammates watched on as he expressed his thanks.
There’s a common refrain about standout rookies-they possess a poise that belies their years, as if they’ve been here before. McGonigle, much like fellow rookies JJ Wetherholt and Konnor Griffin, fits that mold.
However, when it came time to thank his parents, Tracy and Kevin, McGonigle’s composure gave way to emotion. “Mom, Dad …
I dreamed about this growing up, we talked about it growing up, so I’m happy you’re here sharing the moment with me,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. He paused, visibly moved, before continuing, “All the time you spent, all the money you spent to get me to this point.
It means a lot. Love you guys.”
The Tigers’ Twitter account captured the touching moment, noting the emotional scene with a light-hearted nod to anyone feeling a bit teary-eyed.
As the press conference wound down, a light-hearted moment came courtesy of Tarik Skubal. With the team heading to Boston soon, Skubal jokingly asked if McGonigle had plans to treat the team to dinner.
McGonigle’s response? A confident, “I’m sure I can take care of it,” much to the delight of his teammates.
In his remarks, McGonigle said all the right things, endearing himself even further to Tigers fans. “The way I am, I’m loyal, and I want to stick in one spot and help the team out to win a World Series,” he said. “We agreed to (a deal) that’s fair for both of us, and I know that it’s the right move, and I look forward to just going out every year and giving it all I’ve got.”
That’s exactly the kind of commitment fans crave from their franchise player. While the future is always uncertain, and McGonigle’s deal won’t kick in until next season, the hope is that by the time he’s 30, he’ll still be dazzling on the field.
If his trajectory continues upward, the Tigers might just be looking to keep him in Detroit for the long haul. For now, though, McGonigle is off to a fantastic start, and the fans are ready for the ride.