Luke Wagner is a third-year student majoring in management in the Broad College of Business. For the past five seasons, he has been a clubhouse attendant for the Detroit Tigers. Here, he talks about the exciting end to the regular season for the team as well as balancing work and school. The Tigers are currently playing the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series.
On Aug. 10, 2024, the Detroit Tigers held a 55-63 record, and many fans turned their attention to the Lions. However, the team never gave up, catching fire and finishing with an 86-76 record. We made history as just the second team ever to make the postseason after being more than 8 games below .500 in August or later. To say this run has been special would be an understatement, and I’m truly blessed to be part of it alongside such an amazing group of players and staff.
Growing up, I had two dreams: attending Michigan State University and becoming a bat boy for the Detroit Tigers. I’m proud to say both have come true.
For the past five seasons, I’ve worked as a clubhouse attendant, assisting players and coaches to ensure game day runs smoothly. My journey began in 2020, a unique season played without fans, only crowd noise pumped through the stadium speakers. It was impressive to see how the Tigers and Major League Baseball navigated the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.
After 2020, I took on field duties as a bat boy and ball boy. Wearing the Tigers uniform and stepping onto the field for the first time is a cherished memory. I enjoyed the times I spent working on the field; feeling the energy of the fans was electric. The Tigers truly have the best fans in baseball.
These days, however, my focus is behind the scenes, working with my coworkers in the clubhouse to ensure everything is set for the team.
I typically arrive at the ballpark six hours before game time. One of my first tasks? Rubbing game baseballs with mud — yes, mud! Every Major League ball gets treated with a special mud from the Delaware River to improve grip. After that, I set up the dugout with essentials like water, Gatorade, seeds and gum. Throughout the day, I assist with laundry, stock fridges, clean players’ cleats and help with any tasks that come up throughout the day. My day usually wraps up two hours after the game, once the clubhouse is cleaned and prepped for the next day.
The 2024 season has been particularly memorable. I had the opportunity to travel with the team to spring training in Lakeland, Florida, for two months while balancing online classes at MSU. This was my first time back to Lakeland since 2014, when I first went as a young fan. Although my time in Lakeland was very busy, it was also extremely rewarding, and I enjoyed the intensity of spring training immensely.
I also traveled to Boston and worked at the historical Fenway Park, where I crossed a major item off my bucket list: signing the Green Monster!
During the season, my schedule is packed, traveling between East Lansing and Detroit as I juggle school and work. However, in the offseason, I live the typical Spartan life — attending sporting events, participating in clubs and spending time with friends. I’m forever indebted to the Broad College of Business, which has helped me develop numerous skills, especially in networking. These skills have directly benefited my work with the Tigers. MSU has been my home and has shaped me in countless ways — I’m forever proud to be a Spartan.
Much like the relationships I’ve built at MSU, the relationships I’ve built with the Tigers are truly special. From top to bottom, the Detroit Tigers is a first-class organization. Whether it’s the players, coaches, front office, trainers, kitchen staff or clubhouse staff, everybody supports one another and embodies the true spirit of a work family.
My journey began as an eager 16-year-old high school student, and I never could have imagined the incredible things I'd experience. From working alongside my childhood hero, Miguel Cabrera, to clinching a postseason spot this year, I’ve been able to make countless, unforgettable memories with our ball club.
It’s been a privilege to play a small role in the Tigers’ success, and I look forward to my continued contribution within the organization, along with finishing up my education at Michigan State University.
At the end of the day, my role is to provide top-notch hospitality to our players and coaches, and thanks to the leadership within our clubhouse team, we create a positive and comfortable environment that allows our players to focus on what they do best: playing ball!