There are a lot of Detroit Tigers’ storylines playing out during All-Star Week. From Justin Verlander’s honorary selection as a Legends pick and final appearance at the MidSummer Classic as an active player, to Kevin McGonigle’s first All-Star game and triumphant return home to Philadelphia, where the Delaware County native grew up going to Citizens Bank Park to see childhood favorites like Chase Utley and Bryce Harper, to Dillon Dingler’s first All-Star Game and emergence this season as the best all round catcher in baseball, there is a lot to celebrate.In terms of the game itself, Riley Greene, making his third All-Star Game appearance, has been added to tonight’s starting lineup.
We thought we’d just put together a little round-up of clips from the Tigers’ All-Stars during media day. It’s been pretty fun watching the 43-year-old Verlander take it all in for the last time as he prepares to ride off into the sunset. The contrast between the legendary Tigers and Astros ace’s perspective, and that of the 21-year-old McGonigle’s first experience as a star player in the game, has been particularly fun to observe. Jokes have abounded regarding Verlander taking his three adult sons to the All-Star Game, as you’d expect. There have also been quite a few clips with Verlander reminiscing on his first All-Star Game back in 2007 and how the league and the game has changed.
Watching him chat with former foes like Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez, all now long retired, as he prepares to join them in the next phase of a ballplayer’s life has certainly provided some nostalgic moments as well.
He’s also talked quite a bit about the decision to retire, goals achieved and not achieved, and remaining objective about his place in the game and the writing on the wall that it’s time to hang up the spikes.
Young Mr. McGonigle cleans up pretty well, and looks about as comfortable in a suit on a hot day as your average college aged guy.
McGonigle talked about his homecoming and how special it is to be able to share his first All-Star Game experience with family, friends, and former coaches from around the Philly area.
Meanwhile, Dillon Dingler’s stoic catcher vibes have been fairly funny to observe as he takes this all in while trying to say as little as possible.
The quick hitters on media day often end up with a whole litany of media members from smaller markets going from player to player trying to think of something interesting to ask about players they don’t cover. Usually this leads to some ridiculous monotony.
Kevin McGonigle must have been asked 20 times if “this has all sunk in yet” or “what does it feel like to be home in Philly for your first All-Star game?”
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Meanwhile, crafty veteran Riley Greene has largely managed to avoid interviews, probably by giving enough one word answers to drive the vultures away.
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