A.J. Hinch is the newest Detroit Tigers manager, filling the shows of recently-retired manager Ron Gardenhire.
Hinch is returning to Detroit after working as the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks manager. He was the team’s backup catcher in 2003, according to a press release from the Detroit Tigers on Friday (October 30).
“I’d like to thank Chris Ilitch and Al Avila for giving me a chance and the opportunity to get back in the dugout to lead this historic ballclub,” Hinch said in the release. “The last year was the most difficult of my life. It gave me time to reflect, which was such a big part of this process. Everything that has transpired over the past year, personally and professionally, has put so much in perspective for me, and re-enforced how important it is to do things with integrity and honesty.”
The decision to hire Hinch was made quickly. Hinch interviewed in Detroit on Thursday (October 29) and they almost immediately went into negotiations, with the announcing that he was hired the next day.
Becoming the team's 39th manager, Hinch is on board with a new three-year contract, the Detroit News reported.
“Coming into this managerial search, we already knew that AJ’s diverse baseball acumen, knowledge of analytics and passion for the game were second to none,” Avila said in the release. “However, we also knew there were some important conversations to have about AJ’s time in Houston. Throughout that dialogue, he was clearly remorseful and used that time to reflect on the situation, and we believe he will emerge as a better leader because of it. This ballclub is entering an extremely exciting period, with young players primed and ready to make an impact at the Major League level. I’m confident AJ is the best man for this job as we strive to bring a World Series championship back to the city of Detroit.”
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