Just 30 minutes ago, billionaire Elon Musk set the baseball world ablaze with a controversial X post naming his favorite MLB players, while taking a shocking swipe at Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. Musk, known for his provocative online presence, called Skubal “half Miguel Cabrera, bad player and not paid much,” a statement that has sparked outrage among Tigers fans and prompted a fiery response from the 28-year-old All-Star.
Musk’s post, which quickly amassed thousands of reactions, praised players like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge but singled out Skubal for criticism. The jab at Skubal, who earns $10.15 million this season and boasts 677 career strikeouts, was particularly stinging given his 2024 All-Star nod and status as a cornerstone of Detroit’s rotation. Comparing him to Tigers legend Miguel Cabrera, a two-time MVP, while dismissing him as “bad” and “not paid much” left fans and analysts baffled.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73648741/2176539055.0.jpg)
Skubal didn’t hold back, firing back on X within minutes: “Half Cabrera? I’ll take it. Bad player? Check the stats. Not paid much? Tell that to my 97 mph fastball. Keep swinging, Elon.” The pitcher’s sharp retort, blending humor and defiance, sent Tigers fans into a frenzy, with many flooding X with memes and support. One fan posted, “Skubal just struck out Musk’s ego! #TigersPride,” while another shared a gif of Skubal’s signature slider with the caption, “This is ‘bad’?” The hashtag #SkubalVsMusk began trending, amplifying the feud.
Detroit’s fanbase, already energized by the team’s 2024 playoff push, rallied behind Skubal, praising his poise. “Elon’s out here tweeting nonsense, but Tarik’s response is why he’s our ace,” a Tigers supporter wrote. Conversely, some Musk defenders argued he was trolling, with one X user stating, “Elon’s just stirring the pot. Skubal took the bait.” Others questioned Musk’s baseball knowledge, noting his recent gaming controversies and erratic X posts.
Analysts speculate Musk’s comment may stem from a misunderstanding of Skubal’s value or an attempt to provoke. “Skubal’s one of the AL’s top pitchers,” said MLB Network’s Dan Plesac. “Calling him ‘bad’ is absurd, and the ‘half Cabrera’ line makes no sense—different positions, different eras.” The “not paid much” remark also raised eyebrows, as Skubal’s contract is seen as team-friendly for his production.
This clash adds to Musk’s growing list of public spats, including recent feuds with White House officials and celebrities. For Skubal, the incident has only boosted his popularity, with fans chanting his name at a Tigers event tonight. As the 2025 season looms, this unlikely rivalry has given Detroit extra motivation—and Musk a new legion of detractors in Motown.
