Kevin McGonigle just did something no one wearing the Old English “D” has done since the beloved Al Kaline.
McGonigle has reached base safely in 24 consecutive starts for the Detroit Tigers. According to the Tigers, it’s the longest streak for a Tigers player age-21 or younger since Kaline reached base in 34 straight starts from July 26-Aug. 28, 1956.
McGonigle, who turns 22 in August, has an 11-game hitting streak.
McGonigle signed an eight-year, fully guaranteed $150 million contract extension with the Tigers on April 15, less than three weeks into his MLB career. He’s hitting .330 (35-for-106) − sixth in MLB − with 16 walks to 15 strikeouts. His 11 doubles are tied for fourth, and he just hit his second home run Saturday.
McGonigle is making just $780,000 after being drafted No. 37 overall in 2023 out of a suburban Philadelphia high school.
Kaline is “Mr. Tiger” and sets the bar, along with Ty Cobb, for most franchise records. Kaline played 22 seasons in Detroit (1953-74), his entire MLB career. Kaline died at 85 years old in 2020.
You can read all about Kaline and 125 years of Tigers baseball in a new book from the Detroit Free Press: “Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers.”
Buy our book: The Epic History of the Tigers
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kevin McGonigle just did something no Tiger has done since Al Kaline
Reporting by Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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