Detroit, MI
Riley Greene makes key discovery as Detroit Tigers lean into City Connect superstition
Riley Greene is a superstitious baseball player.
“Not as much as I used to be,” Greene insisted.
To be fair, Greene hasn’t changed his walk-up song from “Cowgirls” by Morgan Wallen despite a rough stretch at the plate recently, but throughout his three-year MLB career, he has been one of the most superstitious players with the Detroit Tigers, often switching his walk-up song in search of snapping a slump.
Now, after Greene had some of his best swings in the month of May during Friday’s 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Tigers are leaning into the City Connect superstition.
“I just started (my swing) a little earlier,” Greene said. “I wish I would have known that a couple weeks ago.”
The Tigers decided to wear the City Connect uniforms for Saturday’s game, even though they weren’t initially supposed to wear them after Friday’s win snapped a five-game losing streak. After the win, catcher Jake Rogers polled all the players about the idea of wearing the City Connect uniforms for Saturday’s game.
Other teams have bought into the City Connect superstition, too.
“The whole organization allows it,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s actually kind of turned into a thing around the league, where teams wonder if there’s a little bit of good fortune with the City Connects.”
ROOKIE RAKES: Tigers rookie Colt Keith hits first home run of MLB career. It wasn’t a fluke
Greene, meanwhile, has struggled to find his groove throughout the last 18 games, hitting .169 with one home run, five walks and 22 strikeouts. He went 1-for-4 with a double in Friday’s game, but he put four balls in play with at least a 90 mph exit velocity while elevating the ball in the air to the pull side.
He had his best swings since the beginning of May.
“My hitting coach texted me the night I punched out three times,” said Greene, who struck out three times in Thursday’s game. “He was like, ‘What do you got?’ I’m like, ‘I’m going to be honest, I have no clue what I’m doing.’ He goes, ‘Just start earlier, man. You’re late as can be.’ So, I started earlier yesterday.”
His hitting coach is Jered Goodwin, his former high school coach who trains him (and other MLB players) in the offseason and works as the vice president of scouting operations at Perfect Game.
The advice from Goodwin helped Greene realize his slump wasn’t related to his swing mechanics, rather the timing of his swing.
“Sometimes, it’s as simple as that,” Greene said. “When he told me that, I was like, ‘Why didn’t I figure that out a couple days ago, or a couple of weeks ago?’ He’s a good dude. He knows what he’s doing.”
Finally, Greene feels like himself again.
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Greene, a streaky hitter so far in his career, is capable of single-handedly carrying the Tigers on offense, as exemplified by a 16-game stretch from April 17 through May 4, when he hit .339 with five home runs, 11 walks and 16 strikeouts in 16 games.
“He’s the type of hitter that none of us ever really worry about,” Hinch said. “We probably should pay a little bit more attention to the ups and downs that he goes through to try to support him more, but he’s so easy. He comes to the ballpark every day the same. He’s a swing or two away from greatness at all times.”
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Colt Keith’s walk-up song
Colt Keith, a rookie second baseman, likes the choice to wear the City Connect uniforms again, but he isn’t a superstitious player. He knows the jersey he wears doesn’t determine whether or not he performs well.
He hit the first home run of his MLB career in Friday’s game.
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“I feel like I’ve been dreaming of that for a while,” Keith said. “It was kind of a blur when it happened. I don’t even know what pitch I hit. I just knew that I hit it good, and I was just happy to see it fly into the stands.”
Unlike Greene in the past, Keith has stuck with his walk-up song — “Rocketeer” by Far East Movement — throughout the ups and downs of his rookie season. The 22-year-old considered switching his walk-up song earlier in the year, but his fiancée, Kaitlyn Vickers, wouldn’t let him change it.
Sounds like the soon-to-be Mrs. Keith isn’t superstitious, either.
“She told me if I change it, she’s going to hit me,” Keith said, jokingly. “I thought about changing it a couple of times, and Kait said no. She said, ‘That’s the best walk-up song on the team, you got to keep it.’ Whatever she says.”
Spencer Torkelson on the bench
First baseman Spencer Torkelson, who continues to struggle at the plate, sat the bench for Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays. Instead of Torkelson, outfielder Mark Canha handled the duties at first base.
The 24-year-old is stuck in an 0-for-19 slump.
He is hitting .135 in his last 10 games.
Torkelson previously had hits in 12 of his 13 games from May 5 through May 19, but even then, he hit just .280 with two walks and 12 strikeouts during that stretch. For the entire season, Torkelson is hitting .207 with three home runs, 16 walks and 45 strikeouts in 49 games.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan this week announced the first three communities selected to build solar arrays on vacant land as part of the city’s Solar Neighborhoods project.
The program, part of the city’s plan to reduce neighborhood blight and fight climate change, aims to create 200 acres of solar arrays to generate enough clean energy to power all 127 of the city’s municipal buildings.
Gratiot/Findlay, Van Dyke/Lynch, and State Fair neighborhoods were selected for Phase 1 of the project, which will turn 104 acres of land in the combined areas into solar fields.
Five more neighborhoods are finalists for the expected Phase 2 of the program.
Neighborhood benefits
Only 21 homes in the area slated for the construction were identified as owner-occupied. Each homeowner accepted at minimum $90,000 and moving assistance to leave the area. Renters in the area will receive the cost of relocating and 18 months of free rent in their new homes.
There are 159 owner-occupied homes in the area adjoining the location of the new fields. Those homeowners will receive $15,000 to $25,000 in energy efficient upgrades to their homes. Upgrade options include:
- Windows
- Roof repairs
- Residential solar panels
- Energy efficient appliances
- Air sealing and home insulation
- Energy efficient hot water heaters and furnaces
- Smart thermostats
- Energy efficient lighting
- Battery backups
The homeowners living in the areas slated for construction who did not want to move were offered the same benefits and agreed to have the fields built around them.
Landlords and vacant landowners will receive fair market value pursuant to Michigan’s condemnation law.
Watch: Crowd goes wild as Rickie Fowler makes winning putt at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Crowd at Detroit Golf Club reacts as Rickie Fowler sinks birdie putt on No. 18 to win three-man playoff at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, July 2, 2023.
Jenna Malinowski, Detroit Free Press
The Rocket Mortgage Classic is returning to the Detroit Golf Club for its sixth iteration. The tournament, featuring 156 golfers, begins Thursday, but there will be events on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.
Tuesday: First Tee — Greater Detroit Youth Clinic
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Driving range behind the clubhouse.
TV/Streaming: None.
The buzz: “The First Tee – Greater Detroit Youth Golf Clinic presented by PGA TOUR Superstore will provide elementary and middle school-aged youth with an opportunity to learn fundamental golf skills and tips from PGA TOUR Teaching Professionals,” according to a release from Rocket Companies. “This [Watch & Learn] format will allow participants to observe as the pros hit balls and talk through their shots. No equipment is required.”
Tuesday: Area 313 Celebrity Scramble
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Detroit Golf Club.
TV/Streaming: None.
The buzz: The Area 313 Celebration Scramble pits six four-player teams against each other in a three-hole exhibition match over Nos. 14-16 at Detroit Golf Club. In addition to the usual golfing celebrities, such as Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo and Detroit Lions legend Calvin Johnson, the event will feature WWE wrestler “The Miz,” Sam Merrill of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson and former Michigan and NBA star Chris Webber.
Wednesday: Detroit Community Days and Delta Dental Pro-Am
When: Gates open at 6:45 a.m.
Where: Detroit Golf Club.
TV/Streaming: None.
The buzz: “Returning for the third straight year, Detroit Community Days presented by Jeep® will offer all fans complimentary admission and parking for the Rocket Mortgage Classic’s special events on Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26. The brand will showcase its Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models on site,” according to a release from Rocket Companies. “On Wednesday, June 26, fans can get up close to the action and watch PGA TOUR professionals playing in a relaxed setting throughout the day during the Delta Dental Pro-Am at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.”
THE BIG NAMES: 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic field is set; here’s who’ll be at Detroit Golf Club
Thursday – Sunday: Rocket Mortgage Classic
Rickie Fowler is the defending champion, and Willie Mack III earned a berth by winning the weekend’s John Shippen Invitational. The final four spots were decided in a qualifying tournament Monday, with Brandon Berry, Nick Bienz, Angelo Giantsopoulous and Danny Guise making the cut.
When: Gates open at 6:45 a.m.
Where: Detroit Golf Club.
TV: Thursday & Friday — Golf Channel (3-6 p.m.); Saturday/Sunday — Golf Channel (1-3 p.m.), CBS (3-6 p.m.).
Streaming: ESPN+.
Thursday: First Round play starts on 1st and 10th tees; hospitality food and beverage begins 11 a.m.
Friday: Second Round play starts at 1st and 10th tees; hospitality food and beverage begins 11 a.m.
Saturday: Third Round gates open: 7:15 a.m., play starts on 1st tee; hospitality food and beverage begins 11 a.m.
Sunday: Final Round gates open: 7:15 a.m., play starts on 1st tee; hospitality food and beverage begins 11 a.m.; trophy presentation on 18th green following the conclusion of play.
Detroit — The Rocket’s back.
The PGA Tour returns to Detroit Golf Club this week, for the sixth playing of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, which has struggled at times to put together a star-studded field, but hasn’t struggled in producing the drama.
Every Rocket has had its fair share of story lines, and drama. The tournament has had two playoffs, including Rickie Fowler’s triumph over Collin Morikawa and Adam Hadwin, last year. And the tournament’s had its fair share of marquee winners, including Tony Finau in 2022 and Bryson DeChambeau in 2020.
Who will it be this year?
The News’ resident golf “experts” weigh in, before the action gets under way at Detroit Golf Club on Thursday.
Tony Paul, reporter
▶ Favorite: Tom Kim has to be the popular pick this week in Detroit, given his performance at the Travelers, where he led almost the entire tournament until late on Sunday, when Scottie Scheffler passed him by (no shame in that) and eventually won in a playoff. Kim knows how to go low, and he’s done it in Detroit. Cameron Young will be atop a lot of folks’ list, too, after his 59 on Sunday, and his tie for second in Detroit in 2022, but if the rough is thick, Young and his erratic driver could have some issues.
▶ One to watch: I’m extremely curious to see how 15-year-old Miles Russell handles his first appearance in a PGA Tour event, in the tournament on a sponsor’s exemption. He did just swell in his Korn Ferry Tour debut, becoming the youngest player ever to make the cut on that circuit. He played Detroit Golf Club earlier this year, and apparently tore the place up (and he also swung by Oakland Hills, shooting 67-68 from the tips).
▶ Dark horse: Neal Shipley. He joined the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Viktor Hovland and a handful of others in earning low-amateur honors at both the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year. He since has turned professional, and projects to be one of those quick-to-the-winner-circle fellas.
▶ Winner: Rickie Fowler. The Rocket hasn’t had a repeat winner, but I’ll say that ends this year. He’s struggled since his breakthrough win in Detroit a year ago, but turned it on the Travelers, just in time for one of his favorite stops.
John Niyo, columnist
▶ Favorite: Cameron Young is the highest-ranked player in the field, and he’s coming in hot, fresh off firing a 59 on Saturday at the Travelers. But with his combination of power and touch, he’s also a perfect fit for this Donald Ross course, as he proved with a runner-up finish to Tony Finau in 2022
▶ One to watch: Chris Kirk is a horse for this course, no doubt. His tie for 14th here last year was his fourth straight top-25 finish, a run that includes a dozen rounds in the 60s.
▶ Dark horse: J.J. Spaun has made the cut in every RMC — no one else can say that — and last year’s T33 was his worst finish to date. Recent results aren’t great, but a Motor City visit might be just what he needed.
▶ Winner: Taylor Pendrith followed up a runner-up finish here in 2022 with another top-15 last year at DGC. After notching his breakthrough win at the Byron Nelson this spring, I’m picking him to double up this week in Detroit.
More: The News’ tee-to-green coverage of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, all right here
Craig Yuhas, assistant sports editor
▶ Favorite: Tom Kim. Without a star-studded field, Kim stands out as someone that should have a great chance after finishing second at Travelers Championship. The biggest problem is how much gas do some of the better players, including Kim, have in the tank? Kim is playing his ninth event in a row, and many will be playing their fourth or fifth tournament in a row this week. He seems to be handling it the best right now.
▶ One to watch: Rickie Fowler. His win at last year’s RMC was a big breakthrough as he embarks on the second half of his PGA Tour career. His play has been steady but not spectacular since. He will have a big following, as he always does, when he’s here. Maybe that is the jolt his game needs to get back rolling to finish off the season.
▶ Dark horse: Adam Schenk. He’s had a up-and-down year, but when he’s good, he’s really good. Schenk finished seventh last year here and maybe this is the week the Purdue alum breaks through for his first career victory.
➤ Winner: Akshay Bhatia. After winning the Texas Open the week before the Masters, Bhatia struggled for a minute before putting it together and is trending in the right direction — T22 at Memorial, T16 at U.S. Open and T5 at the Travelers. I like him to win, but I wonder how he holds up. This will be his eighth tournament in a row.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
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