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The improbable journey and accomplishments of the and their ace, Tarik Skubal, in 2024 will no doubt be remembered for years to come.

Not only did one of MLB’s youngest teams come out of nowhere to win 31 of their last 44 games to make the playoffs, but Skubal, a 2018 ninth-round draft pick who overcame two arm surgeries, became a first-time All-Star and was baseball’s best pitcher.

In fact, it was on his 28th birthday, Nov. 20, that Skubal learned he had won unanimously the 2024 American League Cy Young Award after leading the league in wins (18), ERA (2.39), and strikeouts (228) and becoming the first AL starter to win a pitching Triple Crown in a full season since former Tiger Justin Verlander in 2011.

“It was a pretty cool day and surreal when you put in perspective the journey I’ve had in achieving something like that,” Skubal said in a phone interview from Lakeland, Florida, in mid-February on the eve of spring training. “If you had put me back in college [tiny Seattle University] as a sophomore when I had Tommy John surgery [2016] and told me that years later I would win the Cy Young Award, I probably would have called you a liar.”

Skubal, who in January avoided arbitration when he earned a $7.5 million raise upon signing a one-year, $10.15 million contract, was champing at the bit to start spring training and the new season. “It was a pretty motivating offseason for me personally since we were sent home after I gave up five runs to Cleveland in Game 5,” he said.

“We’re all excited about making another run at it again.”

He’s also pleased that the team acquired former teammate Jack Flaherty and signed the Yankees’ All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres and pitcher Tommy Kahnle, as well as pitcher Alex Cobb from the Guardians.

“We’re young and hungry with new veteran leadership, and we know what it’s like in the postseason. Tiger fans are great, and down the stretch at our park last year, it was packed and loud. I feed off the fans’ energy.”

Following two seasons in the minor leagues, Skubal made his MLB debut in August 2020. The next year, in his first full MLB season, he finished with an 8-12 record and a 4.34 ERA and impressively struck out 164 batters in 149 1/3 innings, though he surrendered 35 home runs.

But in August of 2022, after he posted a 7-8 record with 117 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings, his career was in jeopardy as he underwent flexor tendon surgery. He then began an arduous 11-month rehabilitation period under the guidance of pitching coach Chris Fetter along with assistant coaches Robin Lund and Juan Nieves.

When Skubal was activated in July 2023, he had established a new five-day routine, tweaked his delivery, and developed a nasty changeup to go along with his devastating 97 mph fastball, slider, and occasional curveball. He also commanded the strike zone and was getting ahead of the hitters early in counts. Skubal won the AL Pitcher of the Month Award that September after going 4-0 with a .090 ERA over his last five starts and finished his shortened season with a 7-3 record and a 2.80 ERA.

“My biggest takeaway from the rehab was finding a routine that works for me that keeps me fresh for a long season. That way, I don’t get run-down, because that’s when injuries happen,” Skubal said. “From 2021 to now, I’m probably a completely different pitcher in terms of how I attack batters.”

Instead of isolating himself with headphones for four hours before a start, he is now more relaxed and interacts with teammates up until the hour before, when he puts on headphones to help “dial it in.”

Last year, he started bringing in doughnuts from the for his teammates before day games at Comerica Park.

“I started doing it when we were scuffling a bit, and we ended up turning it around and going on a run, so I became the doughnut guy,” Skubal said. “It then kind of became an expectation from the team. I didn’t bring them in one day, and it was like, ‘Why didn’t you bring in doughnuts?’ I will do it again this year, and it will be a ton of fun.”

Skubal said that he and his wife, Jessica, (high school sweethearts from Kingman, Arizona) and their young son have enjoyed living in metro Detroit, where they “have been treated well.”

“The community we live in has a family-oriented vibe and is really fun,” he said. “I like to come home after games and see kids playing Wiffle ball in the street. That’s really cool.”

He also relishes numerous restaurants in the area.

“I enjoy eating in places in downtown Birmingham like , and in Detroit, Prime + Proper and are really good,” he said.

Skubal and his wife also discovered the satisfaction of supporting the community, especially through their work with , the Detroit-based multiservice agency dedicated to empowering homeless and at-risk young women.

“The Tigers asked if I wanted to do any charity work, and at the time, I really didn’t have anything in mind, but my wife is pretty passionate about the problem of domestic abuse and the challenges of single moms since she grew up with a single mom, so we linked up with Alternatives for Girls.”

According to MLB, through a generous donation by the Skubals, the nonprofit organization was able to cover the cost of all household essentials for individuals and families who move into its new housing unit, Dr. Maya Angelou Village.

“It is really cool to see how the money is making a big impact and helping to give people a fresh start, be resilient, and bounce back,” said Skubal, who was the Tigers’ 2024 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. “I look forward to doing it again this year.” (The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a player who “best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”)

Only time will tell how far the Tigers will go this new season and whether the team can eventually secure for the long term the services of Skubal, who, assuming his success continues, may eventually command the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher.

Tarik Skubal will be eligible for salary arbitration for the final time after the 2025 campaign, but after the ’26 season, unless the Tigers sign him to a very expensive extension, he’ll become a highly sought-after free agent.

Meanwhile, fans can continue to appreciate and enjoy watching the lefty kick up his leg and empty the tank as he mows down wide-eyed opposing hitters while trying to lead the Tigers back to the playoffs.

This story originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of ������ Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of ������ Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our will be available on April 7.