Tigers' Brett Callahan's spark fizzles during White Sox weekend sweep originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On the first pitch of his MLB career, Detroit Tigers outfielder Brett Callahan connected on a 76-mph knuckle curve by Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke and delivered a two-run triple to a team that needed a spark.
The Tigers entered the weekend with a chance to take sole possession of first place in the AL Central.
Instead, following Sunday's 7-5 defeat, they dropped 5.5 games behind the division-leading White Sox, who slammed seven home runs during the three-game sweep at Comerica Park.
The second-inning spark the rookie provided ... fizzled.
Tigers' rookie Brett Callahan dazzles early
Ranked as the organization's No. 19 prospect, Callahan was a surprise call-up from Triple-A Toledo. The 2023 No. 380-overall draft pick opened 2025 in the Florida Coast League for rookies. He didn't escape A-ball until the start of this season.
The fourth member of his draft class to reach the majors, Callahan hit. .274 with 30 homers and 158 RBI in 911 minor-league at-bats. He became the first player in the organization to triple in his first at-bat since Bill Irwin on May 18, 1912.
Irwin played in one MLB game, going 2-for-3 with two triples. He was one of the emergency players who played after the club went on strike to protest Ty Cobb's suspension.
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Callahan became the fifth Tigers' rookie to reach base on their first at-bat this season, joining Max Clark, Ben Malgeri, Kevin McGonigle and Eduardo Valencia. The last time five first-year Tigers accomplished the feat was 1963, featuring Gates Brown, Willie Horton, Mickey Lolich, Alan Koch and Don Wert.
Sparked by Callahan, the Tigers opened an early 3-0 lead. They couldn't hold it. Despite losing three straight, the Tigers (60-64) remained one game behind in the AL Wild Card chase. The White Sox improved to 65-58.
Callahan went 1-for-2 with a strikeout in his debut. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch elected to send out Malgeri as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.
With friends and family in attendance, Callahan created an early spark, but like the weekend series, it fizzled.
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