Tigers superfan has on-field experience of a lifetime after clinch

September 28th, 2024

What better way to enjoy your favorite team celebrating a playoff berth than doing so with the club itself?

After Detroit clinched its first playoff berth since 2014 on Friday, the team brought down Tigers superfan Josh Tebeau to bask in the celebration. Tebeau was enjoying the Tigers’ playoff clinch from his seats when a couple of security guards waved him down to the field -- at the request of several Detroit players.

As Tebeau made his way down, you can see him embracing Tigers players such as ace left-hander Tarik Skubal before being invited to be in the team picture. Tebeau assumed he would park himself in the back of the team photo before Tigers players forced him to the front of the picture.

In Tebeau’s hands was a sign that originally said, “Don’t let the Tigers get hot." The sign needed an update, however, with the Tigers’ recent play, so Tebeau added the word “stay” over "get" to create a "Don't let the Tigers stay hot" sign.

There’s another fun part of the story. At the end of his interview, Tebeau shares a story involving a pumpkin seed of all things. In April, Tebeau attended a game where Skubal tossed him a pumpkin seed, rather than a sunflower seed. To Tebeau, this was a “premonition” since pumpkin seeds are associated with Halloween and the month of October which, of course, is the month that hosts playoff baseball each season.

“It’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m the luckiest, most grateful person in the world,” Tebeau said about his experience. “You know what though? This isn’t about me. It’s about the team, and we ain’t done.”