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On June 24, the newest member of the Detroit Tigers signed a contract, answered questions from the media and took the field at Comerica Park.
The new Tiger was 8-year-old Matt, who is in remission from leukemia and, through Make-A-Wish Michigan, spent the day becoming part of the organization he has always loved.
A baseball fan through and through, Matt plays pitcher and shortstop and had one simple wish: become a Detroit Tiger.
His day began with a ceremonial one-day contract signing alongside manager A.J. Hinch during his pregame media availability. Dressed in his custom Tigers jersey, Matt confidently fielded questions from reporters before heading behind the scenes for an experience few fans ever have.
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Throughout the day, Matt became part of the team. He spent time in the dugout, met players and coaches, played catch, signed his own custom Tigers baseball cards for fans and joined Tarik Skubal in the bullpen, where he was welcomed into one of the most exclusive spaces in the ballpark. More than 140 family members, friends and Make-A-Wish supporters filled the stands to cheer him on as he threw the ceremonial first pitch, a moment later featured by Major League Baseball as part of its national coverage of Matt's special day.
For the Tigers, the experience was another chapter in a longstanding partnership with Make-A-Wish Michigan.
Matt’s wish began weeks earlier at Make-A-Wish Michigan's Walk for Wishes, where Matt learned his wish was going to be granted. During the surprise reveal, Kerry Carpenter delivered a personal video invitation welcoming Matt to the Tigers before Skubal walked on stage to present him with his official Tigers jersey.
While every Make-A-Wish experience is unique, they all share the mission of creating moments of hope during some of life's most challenging circumstances. According to Make-A-Wish, more than 90 percent of wish alumni say their wish improved their quality of life, strengthened family relationships and gave them greater hope for the future.
Those moments leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.
For Tigers players, coaches, broadcasters, colleagues and fans, wish days serve as a reminder that baseball is about more than what happens on the field. The game has a unique ability to bring people together during life's biggest moments, and creating those moments for children like Matt is something the organization is proud to do.
For Matt and his family, June 24 marked the chance to celebrate how far he has come. For the Tigers, it was another opportunity to help create an impactful memory to last a lifetime.
