How Tigers surprised Zach McKinstry with MLB All-Star announcement
Those are the two names Zach McKinstry said he first thinks of when he recalls MLB All-Star Game memories from his childhood. Well, now he needs to add his own name to that list, after the Detroit Tigers' do-it-all utility man was officially added to the team Wednesday, July 9, shortly after 5 p.m.
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The public announcement came over the public address system at Comerica Park, when a graphic flashed on the scoreboard in left field that the former Central Michigan standout would become the fifth Tigers player to go to the Midsummer Classic in 2025.
Detroit Tigers Zach McKinstry smiles as he celebrates after hitting a home run against the Twins at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
But the private announcement came the evening before, when manager A.J. Hinch had compiled the others, including Javier Báez, Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres and Tarik Skubal into his office when he called "Z-Mac" too
"Super cool," McKinstry said following the Tigers' 7-3 loss on Wednesday. "When I looked around the room, I kind of felt it was coming and it was just a pretty cool moment to have those guys in there with me. A.J. just said 'all the players here are All Stars' so that was pretty cool."
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McKinstry also had to keep his cool for about 18 hours, from when he found out on Tuesday, July 8, until the embargo broke the following afternoon. He joked he intentionally stayed away from media prior to the game, and he and his inner circle did a good job of keeping it on the "down low."
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There were, of course, a few people he told: his wife, agent, parents, brother, sister, his wife's family and a handful of friends. Hinch said he was surprised that media gathered outside the clubhouse didn't hear the eruption from outside the locker room.
Hinch almost blew it pregame, too, when he was asked about sending five people to Atlanta, including bat boy Frankie Boyd, when he said its six, then quickly talked it back and said, yeah, maybe five.
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"I almost ruined it today, but I can count," Hinch quipped. "We weren't allowed to talk about it (publicly) but I could tell him ... we all just talked about his journey a little bit, (president of baseball operations) Scott (Harris) was in there and he traded for him to bring him into the organization, George (Lombard) was in there who worked so hard with him on baserunning and outfield, Joey Cora was in there, you know, infield coach.
"Just everybody was so proud of him ... very rewarding moment for me as a manager, but more importantly for Z-Mac as a player amongst the elite."
Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) slides to third base after hitting a triple against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of the game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
The journey certainly has not been the typical one of an All-Star, even one making it for the first time at age 30. Prior to 2025, McKinstry had never hit better than his 2023 season, his first in Detroit, when he batted .231 with a .302 OBP and 1.2 wins above replacement.
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This year, however, he's already on pace to smash those numbers. His average (.286) and OBP (.358) are both more than 50 points higher, while his OPS (.826) is nearly 170 points north of his previous best.
When he woke up Thursday, July 10, following his latest two-double performance, his batting WAR (2.7) was tied for No. 31 in baseball, along with teammate Riley Greene, directly ahead of players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Max Muncy.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Zach McKinstry (39) hits an RBI double in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
McKinstry's eight triples are second best in the American League (Jarren Duran, 10) and already a career-high, while his seven home runs are two shy (9), his 14 doubles are seven shy (21) and his 13 steals are three back (16) of his career bests, all posted in 148 games played in 2023.
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These 2025 numbers have come in just 85 games.
"Just honestly, I couldn't think of a human more deserving," catcher Jake Rogers said. "All of his ups and downs, teams he's been, yeah, he's definitely a grinder. It's pretty cool to see a guy like that do well at all the positions around the field.
"Gave him a big hug, everyone was super excited for him and we were all hoping he was going to get in."
Detroit Tigers outfielders, from left: Riley Greene, Parker Meadows and Zach McKinstry celebrate their win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, July 7, 2025.
With five All-Stars now selected, it's the most since the organization had six in 2013: Miguel Cabrera (3B), Prince Fielder (1B), Torii Hunter (OF), Jhonny Peralta (SS), Justin Verlander (P) and Max Scherzer (P).
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Now, all that's left — other than making sure he packs both his infield and outfield gloves — is getting in touch with his "people" that he still uses for formal events from Los Angeles, whom he connected with during his time in the Dodgers organization. There's going to be a new suit on the way, marking the biggest milestone of his career to wear to the red carpet.
No, he won't match with his teammates he joked.
"Definitely going to be some Detroit stuff going on on the suit," McKinstry said. "It will be pretty cool."
Email Tony Garcia at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Tigers surprised Zach McKinstry with MLB All-Star announcement
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