Tarik Skubal was greeted with standing ovations and a video tribute Friday in his highly anticipated return to Comerica Park, now as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The warm reception from the Detroit crowd marked a stark contrast to the raw feelings that accompanied his trade just four weeks prior.
Skubal, a seven-year veteran with the Tigers, went from an unheralded draft pick to a two-time Cy Young Award winner and a franchise cornerstone before being traded to the Dodgers at this year's deadline. The move came as it became apparent he was unlikely to re-sign with Detroit as a free agent.
As Skubal walked toward the visiting dugout before his first start against his former team, a montage of his Tigers highlights played on the scoreboard, eliciting cheers from the early-arriving crowd. While he remained focused on the game, a look of gratitude was evident on his face. "I’ve hopefully made myself clear that I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Detroit," Skubal had said earlier in the month.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the emotional significance of the start for Skubal. "This is probably going to be the toughest start he makes, I think as far as emotions," Roberts said prior to the game, while expressing confidence in Skubal's ability to manage the intensity. "There’s going to be emotions, but I do think he’s going to stay within himself. It’s a familiar mound, familiar background, all that stuff. So I think he’s going to be back to himself.”