Frankie Boyd, the Detroit Tigers’ tireless bat boy and clubhouse assistant, is headed to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta. Boyd won the fan vote to join the American League All-Star Ball Crew, capping a whirlwind week where his name rocketed from relative obscurity into the national baseball spotlight.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch couldn’t contain his pride. “We wanted Frankie badly to get there, one, for his own well-being. In our room, when you are up for something and you miss out, the boys will let you know,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.
Hinch added that the clubhouse erupted in cheers when the news broke.
“But I think it’s good for him and it’s good for us. It’s fun,” Hinch said. “[The players] gave him a big ovation inside and tried to embarrass him as much as we could. I don’t know that he knows how to handle it, but the boys will have a fun time having him around in Atlanta.”
For Hinch, Boyd’s All-Star selection is bigger than a ceremonial honor. It’s recognition for the countless hours Boyd puts in to keep the Tigers’ operation running smoothly.
“He’s been here the entire time I’ve been here in various roles,” Hinch said. “We’ve watched him grow up. We love having him come to the ballpark every day. He’s a part of the fabric of our day-to-day.”
Boyd’s Path to the Tigers Dugout
Boyd’s journey with the Tigers began several seasons ago when he joined the ballpark staff under the guidance of veteran clubhouse manager Dan Ross. He quickly became known for his high energy and willingness to do anything the team needed, from setting up gear to fetching towels for umpires. His reputation grew as someone who worked every bit as hard as the players themselves.
“I’m not kidding you, he might be the hardest-working bat boy I think I’ve ever seen,” Tigers catcher Jake Rogers said.
Over the years, Boyd evolved into a critical figure behind the scenes. Tigers players often rave about how Boyd knows everyone’s preferences—where their bats are kept, how their gloves are arranged, and even how they like their energy drinks lined up. One game, Boyd logged nearly 4 1/2 miles on his step tracker, underscoring how physically demanding his job can be. His All-Star selection is proof that no role in baseball is too small to matter.
Other Tigers Bat Boys in All-Star History?
Boyd’s accomplishment carries historical significance for Detroit. While MLB occasionally includes ball crew members in All-Star festivities, the Tigers had never sent a bat boy or clubhouse assistant to an All-Star Game before Boyd. Other organizations, like the Phillies, have had ball crew members honored, but Detroit has now entered new territory.
“There’s so many other people that they could have gone with,” Boyd said. “And the fact that I’m in the mix is awesome.”
Boyd’s selection shines a light on a group of people who rarely get national recognition. It also speaks volumes about the Tigers’ clubhouse environment, where even the “invisible” staff are celebrated and appreciated. Hinch has cultivated a culture where contributions are valued regardless of a person’s title, and Boyd is now the face of that ethos.
Over roughly the past decade, MLB has gradually begun spotlighting the unsung heroes of the game by including bat boys, bat girls, and ball attendants in All-Star festivities. Before 2023, most bat and ball crew who worked the All-Star Game were local staff from the host ballpark, and their names rarely made it into public record.
That changed when MLB introduced a fan vote for the All-Star Ball Crew, allowing fans to choose standout bat and ball attendants from around the league to participate in events like the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game itself.
A Tigers Team Well Represented in Atlanta
This year’s All-Star Game will feature a heavy Detroit presence, and Boyd won’t be traveling alone. Three Tigers–Riley Greene, Javier Báez, and Gleyber Torres–earned starting spots through fan voting. Meanwhile, ace Tarik Skubal was named to the American League pitching staff, reflecting his dominant first half of the season. Recently, Zach McKinstry joined the roster as a replacement for Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, bringing the Tigers’ player total to five.
The Tigers broke the news to McKinstry during a meeting with Hinch, coaches, and fellow All-Stars, though they waited to announce it publicly until the Astros confirmed Peña’s status.
“It was a pretty cool moment to have those guys in there with me,” McKinstry said. “A.J. just said all the players here are All-Stars. That was pretty cool.”
It’s one of the Detroit’s deepest All-Star contingents in recent memory. For a team sitting at the top of the American League standings, the selections feel like confirmation that the franchise is moving in the right direction. The addition of Boyd further underscores the depth of talent, and dedication, across the entire Tigers organization.
“He’s the best bat boy in the league,” catcher Dillon Dingler said. “A lot of the umpires say it, too.”
On another note, Skubal had voiced frustration earlier this week, feeling Detroit deserved even more representation. The left-hander, who’s become one of the game’s premier pitchers, told reporters:
“I’m a little disappointed with only the four guys we got. We’ve got the best record in the American League. I would like to think that we’d be more represented there.”
Interestingly, his words seem prophetic: since Skubal spoke out, two more Tigers have been added to the All-Star mix.
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