The MLB/Little League Classic, held annually at Bowman Field since 2017, has seen its share of distinguished major league players, including Yadier Molina, Shohei Otani, Anthony Rizzo, and Bryce Harper, just to name a few. The latest to join this list pitched in this year’s Classic. He was Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. He is the newly minted Cy Young Award winner for the American League for 2024.

Skubal is the fifth Tiger to win the award, joining Max Scherzer (2013), Justin Verlander (2011), Willie Hernández (1984) and Denny McLain (1968 and ’69).

He was the Tigers’ starting pitcher in the game here but did not figure in the decision. He pitched five solid innings, giving up just one run and striking out five, as the Tigers won in extra innings over the New York Yankees 3-2.

Skubal earned all 30 placed votes for the Cy Young Award and was the unanimous choice of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

He won the triple crown of pitching in the American League, leading in wins with 18, strikeouts with 228, and a 2.39 Earned Run Average. Skubal became the 22nd player in Major League history to win a pitching Triple Crown.

Skubal becomes the fifth Cy Young Award winner to see action at Bowman Field over the years. The other four, Warren Spahn, Early Wynn, Whitey Ford, and Sparky Lyle, saw action at the uptown ballpark as minor leaguers playing in the Eastern League.

Interestingly, Williamsport was part of the Tiger farm system from 1946 to 1952, producing standout players such as Johnny Groth, Joe Ginsburg, Lou Kretlow, and the most distinguished, one future Hall of Famer, and U.S. Senator Jim Bunning.