BOSTON – For less than 24 hours, it seemed like Detroit Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle paid up.
A photo from Casey Mize on social media suggested the 21-year-old infielder treated his teammates to dinner at Neptune Oyster on Saturday, April 18, after a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox, thus fulfilling a request from Tarik Skubal after signing an eight-year, $150 million contract extension.
"That was Skubal, actually," McGonigle said. "He took some of us out."
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McGonigle had been scheduled to take the Tigers to dinner after Sunday's game, but rain in the forecast at Fenway Park shifted first pitch back three hours, from 1:35 p.m to 4:35 p.m. Just like that, the weather wiped out the window for the team dinner hosted by McGonigle.
"I was supposed to go tonight," McGonigle said, "but because of the rain and the game getting pushed back, we're not doing it tonight."
"Absolutely not," Skubal said. "He still owes us one."
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The plan for McGonigle's dinner is pending, with McGonigle prepared to take his teammates to dinner during an upcoming road trip – possibly on the April 27 off day in Atlanta amid a six-game road trip against the Cincinnati Reds (April 24-26) and Atlanta Braves (April 28-30).
It all depends on how many family members are traveling.
"It's whatever these guys think is best," McGonigle said. "If families are there, then we're not going to go."
Postponement aside, the dinners are part of an team-first initiative by Skubal to build and maintain a connected clubhouse, especially as young players like McGonigle (and, eventually, fellow top prospect Max Clark) arrive for their MLB debuts.
There aren't any bad personalities among the group.
"Having young players come up and make an impact on our team is going to help us so much," said Skubal, who visited McGonigle in the Arizona Fall League in November. "I just want to make anyone that comes up here on this team feel comfortable and confident. That way, they can just go play baseball. If you ask the more veteran group around here, you take pride in having a good clubhouse."
McGonigle looks comfortable on the field, hitting .312 with an .892 OPS and plus-2 defensive runs saved in 21 games. His .411 on-base percentage ranks 14th among MLB players.
It's because he feels comfortable in the clubhouse, even while handling rookie duties like managing the clubhouse speaker.
"I'm super blessed for my first time in the big leagues that I have a group of guys like this to learn from," McGonigle said. "It's just been unbelievable the way they're treating me."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kevin McGonigle still owes Detroit Tigers meal with Boston plans nixed