CONGRATULATIONS: Riley Greene’s 36-Homer Season Signals a New Detroit Power Era
DETROIT — Comerica Park roared like it hadn’t in years. When Riley Greene’s 36th home run of the season rocketed into the right-field seats, the sound was pure thunder — a sonic reminder that Detroit baseball has a new face of power.
With that swing, Greene became the first Detroit Tiger since Miguel Cabrera in 2016 to hit at least 36 home runs in a single season. For a franchise long searching for its next great slugger, the milestone felt like a torch being passed.
“It’s surreal,” Greene said afterward, grinning as teammates playfully showered him with sunflower seeds. “Growing up, I watched Miggy hit home runs that made stadiums shake. To be mentioned in the same breath as him is unbelievable.”
The 23-year-old outfielder has emerged as the centerpiece of a Tigers lineup that suddenly looks dangerous again. His smooth left-handed swing and keen eye have made him a nightmare for pitchers, while his easy confidence has inspired a young roster to believe a new era of relevance is coming.
Manager A.J. Hinch has seen Greene mature from promising prospect into bona fide star. “He’s not just hitting homers,” Hinch said. “He’s controlling at-bats, he’s leading in the clubhouse, and he’s giving our fans something to dream on every night.”
Greene’s historic blast came on a cool September evening with the Tigers chasing a wild-card berth. The crowd knew the significance immediately, rising as the ball sailed high and far. Chants of “Riley! Riley!” filled the air as Greene rounded the bases, his teammates leaning over the dugout rail to salute him.
Since debuting in 2022, Greene has steadily improved, but this season marked a dramatic leap. His batting average sits near .290, and his on-base plus slugging percentage ranks among the league’s best. Beyond the numbers, his flair for the dramatic — late-inning homers, leaping catches at the wall — has energized a fan base hungry for October baseball.
Veteran infielder Javier Báez described Greene as “the kind of player you build a franchise around,” while pitcher Tarik Skubal simply called him “a superstar in the making.”
Detroit fans have embraced him wholeheartedly. Children wear his No. 31 jersey, and lines for his autograph snake through the ballpark. Local businesses have started naming menu items after him, from “Greene Monster” milkshakes to “Riley’s Rocket” hot dogs.
For Greene, the support is motivation. “The city means a lot to me,” he said. “Every time I step on the field, I want to give them a reason to cheer. Nights like this are why we play.”
As the Tigers look toward the postseason and beyond, Greene’s 36 homers stand as more than a statistic. They signal a franchise rising from years of rebuilding and a player whose star is just beginning to burn. In Detroit, the future suddenly feels electric — and it swings from the left side of the plate.
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