ANAHEIM, CA – Detroit Tigers rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle joined Ty Cobb in the franchise record books on Saturday, July 18.
McGonigle picked up two hits against the Los Angeles Angels, giving him 101 in 95 games. McGonigle and Cobb are the only two players in Tigers history at the age of 21 or younger to record 100 career hits in less than 100 games.
“I just found out literally right after the game,” McGonigle said. “Obviously, my name being up there with Ty Cobb, it’s something I never really imagined to be honest with you. I’m just proud of myself so far with how much I’ve been trying to help this team and all those hits come from helping this team and that’s my mindset. For my name to be up there with Ty Cobb is something that is really, really special.”
McGonigle went 2-for-5 and scored twice in the Tigers’ 7-0 victory.
The two hits gave McGonigle 101 hits in 95 games before turning 22. Cobb had 109 hits in his first 100 games before turning 22, in the 1905-06 seasons. McGonigle just beat out another Tigers great, Lou Whitaker. “Sweet Lou” had 99 hits in his first 100 games before turning 22, during the 1977-78 seasons.
“He’s such a big part of our team,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “This time of year, you don’t really worry about them being a rookie anymore. … He impresses everybody every day. You know, he’s prepared every day. He’s going to get a day off here this week at some point, but it doesn’t seem like much fazes him. I love the fact that he locks back in after a tougher night last night.”
That’s what made this even sweeter.
McGonigle was coming off a rare game; he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Friday – just the 22nd time in 95 games going hitless in at least four at-bats.
“He chased a little bit last night,” Hinch said. “Then he gets right back in the strike zone and has a really productive night.”
McGonigle is coming off a whirlwind week.
He played in his first All-Star Game, which happened to be in Philadelphia, his hometown.
“It was good,” McGonigle said. “Unbelievable experience. Like I said before, I don’t know when it would hit me, and it hit me pretty hard. Standing ovation was pretty cool, and to be able to play in front of all my family and friends was unbelievable.”
But after the game, he was able to rest and relax with friends and family.
“That was the best part about it,” he said.
Contact Jeff Seidel at jseidel@freepress.com or follow him @seideljeff.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kevin McGonigle’s historic rookie season with Tigers joins Ty Cobb
Reporting by Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
