Red Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses and fake mustaches turned Comerica Park into a sea of “Magnum” style on Sunday, as more than 900 people came together for the 17th annual “Magnum P.I.” Day.
The gathering has grown far beyond its beginnings. What started in 2009 with about 12 people in attendance has become a massive event organized by founders Shana Smail, Shaun Smail and Kevin Stephenson, with thousands of members now part of the Facebook group. Fans, workers and even PAWS, the Tigers’ mascot, leaned into the look with an Aloha “Jungle Bird” shirt, a Tigers hat and the unmistakable Tom Selleck-inspired mustache.
This year also brought a new purpose. The “Magnums” partnered with the Brain Injury Association of Michigan in 2025, and a portion of Tigers tickets purchased through the group link is being donated to support the organization.
“I get emotional talking about it," said Aaron Klassen, the primary organizer for the event. "Who knew what started as just a bunch of hooligans having fun would turn into something of this caliber to be able to make such an incredible impact and give back to the community."
Klassen, who joined the group in 2012, said the idea to give back became more important last year as the event continued to draw strong support. The Brain Injury Association of Michigan was a natural fit for him because of his background in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and because Shana Smail’s sister suffered a brain and spinal cord injury in an accident.
“When this happens to people, they don't know how to navigate what that looks like, and that's where the Brain Injury Association of Michigan came into play for them,” Klassen said. “They helped link them to services, doctors, cares, all of those things in this really unfamiliar, tragic time, and so it only made sense - let's help raise awareness for brain injury and sponsor them.”
The group also had a separate highlight in 2025, with Selleck attending last year's game and throwing the ceremonial first pitch. His appearance, after 16 years of the event, caught plenty of people off guard, but he also donated a signed jersey, hat and other memorabilia to the Tigers for auction, with the proceeds going to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan.
The “Magnums” are also chasing a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering wearing an aloha Hawaiian shirt at a sporting event. That mark was recently set on Aug. 1 by the Fort McMurray Giants Baseball Club in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, when 1,280 people took part.
For Tigers fan Char Purdy, the event has always been part of the calendar, but learning about the fundraising side made it even more meaningful. Purdy, a “Magnum” and Tigers fan since she was 8, rode a bus to Sunday’s game with her cousin and other family and friends.
“I grew up watching 'Magnum P.I.,' watched him on 'Friends,' and also watched him on 'Blue Bloods,' so I love Tom Selleck,” Purdy said. “Just now finding out that there's a fundraiser behind this, I'm even more intrigued like I said, and kind of want to get behind it and support it more.”
Klassen, a Michigan native, also described the Tigers’ season as a “rollercoaster,” with the club entering the year as division favorites before trying to claw back into playoff contention. Still, he sees the moment at Comerica Park as a spark.
“'Magnum Magic' is here, everything changes - it's just going to be lights out for the rest of the regular season,” Klassen said. “But also, we do have a really good team. We've got AJ Hinch at the helm, and I'm a true believer in the Tigers.”
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