Spencer Torkelson, a talented first baseman in Major League Baseball, recently went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored in the Detroit Tigers’ 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
But it’s not just his professional career that is of interest to fans. Spencer often finds himself as a topic of curiosity for his personal life, too. So, does this promising Baseball star have a girlfriend? Not only does he, but it seems they might even get married soon. Let’s uncover details of their romantic journey.
How Spencer Torkelson Planned the Ultimate Engagement for His Girlfriend Makenna Mattei
Spencer Torkelson planned his proposal to his longtime girlfriend and soon-to-be wife, Makenna Mattei, to absolute perfection, ensuring every detail was thoughtful and personal. The first baseman for the Detroit Tigers wanted to create a moment that was both memorable and natural, something she would cherish for the rest of her life. He was evidently looking to strike the flawless balance between romance and surprise, which he knew was important to his partner, and boy did he succeed!
Before the proposal, Spencer left nothing to chance and even went the extra mile by reaching out to Makenna’s family and her best friend for their blessing as well as input to make sure the occasion was truly unforgettable in every way imaginable.
Torkelson wanted a fresh and unique take on the proposal, so he did his best to avoid the typical proposal clichés like a fancy dinner or a big outing, knowing full well they’d be hinting at what he might be up to and it wouldn’t take Makenna long to figure it out.
He intentionally kept the proposal day low-key to maintain the surprise, giving virtually nothing away. After they hung out like usual, the couple headed back home, where Spencer Torkelson had secretly decked out their front porch for the special moment.
The porch setup included carefully arranged decorations—balloons for a fun vibe, candles for that cozy, intimate feel, and a trail of flower petals leading to the spot where he was ready to pop the big question.
As they got closer to the porch, Makenna was blown away by the incredible romantic setup that was fully catered to her, leaving her struggling to process everything that was happening. And before she could take it all in, Torkenson got down on one knee, showed her the amazing ring, and asked her to marry him. To no one’s surprise, she said YES! On January 13, 2024, Spencer Torkelson shared the exciting news on Instagram, much to the delight of his fans and followers.
Interestingly, by the time the MLB star announced his engagement, he wasn’t even close to the only individual with a massive milestone in his personal life. The whole thing was already trending in the Tigers’ locker room as he was, remarkably, one of nine players on the 40-man roster who either got engaged or married during the 2023-2024 offseason.
All these engagements led to some fun banter in the locker room, with Torkelson jokingly claiming they set an “MLB record” for the most guys tying the knot in one offseason. It was all in good fun, and soon, the vibe in the clubhouse turned into a mix of camaraderie and playful pressure, with teammates jokingly ribbing each other about who’d be next to pop the question. They even joked about the idea of a mass wedding.
Makenna Mattei: Outspoken Advocate and Soon-to-be Wife of MLB Star Spencer Torkelson
Makenna Mattei—best known as the girlfriend and now fiancée of the MLB star Spencer Torkelson—was born on May 8, 1999, in Petaluma, California. Her parents are Jody Ann Mattei (mother), 56, and Kenneth Carl Dick (father), 59, a firefighter with the California Fire Department. As for her siblings, she has one older sister, Haley Mattei, 27, a graduate of the Dominican University of California.
The 25-year-old went to Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, California, graduating in May 2017. Makenna, a well-rounded student with a background in sports, played softball and volleyball during her high school years. For college, she went to the University of California in Santa Barbara, graduating in June 2021.
Spencer Torkelson also attended Casa Grande High School and later played baseball for Arizona State University before entering the professional league. Makenna and Spencer have known each other since high school and they were dating for several years before getting engaged in 2024. And now, it looks like a matter of time before this wonderful couple officially gets married.
Mattei, described as outspoken and engaged in social issues, received a lot of attention in her community in 2013 for speaking up about a dress code that didn’t allow girls to wear leggings unless they covered up with something else. She shared how frustrating it was since she had tons of yoga pants and leggings in her closet. Makenna even got interviewed by KTVU, where she talked about how the dress code affected her style.
