| Detroit Free Press
Watch: Detroit Tigers introduce A.J. Hinch as manager
Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch and GM Al Avila introduce new manager A.J. Hinch, Oct. 30, 2020.
Al Avila had one candidate in mind in his search for the Detroit Tigers‘ next manager.
It was always AJ Hinch, the former Houston Astros manager, who was barred from interviewing for any job until after the World Series because of his role in the Astros’ cheating scandal in 2017.
[ Four things AJ Hinch much do now that he’s Detroit Tigers manager ]
Once the World Series ended Tuesday night, it took Avila all of a half-hour to make his move.
Here’s how it went down, as told by Hinch:
“About 30 minutes after the World Series last out my phone rang. And I still had Al’s number in my phone from all the years when I’ve known him in different jobs. He said, ‘AJ, this is Al and I’d like you to get on a plane tomorrow.’ I said, ‘Absolutely, book it and I’ll get to Detroit as soon as possible.’
Next morning, I got on a plane in the morning, got to Detroit early afternoon. We met pretty much for the remainder of the day, had dinner that night. Stayed overnight and had another round of interviews with an extended group of people the next day.
“I had a flight to return to go home, and at the end of the interview Al said, ‘I canceled your flight, we’re going to talk a little bit more. That evening resulted in an incredible partnership.”
The terms of Hinch’s deal weren’t immediately available.
GOOD HIRE? Hinch to Tigers should feel like home run. But it isn’t.
HINCH ON SCANDAL:It’s my story, not the Tigers’
TOUGH DIVISION: AL Central is a ‘Murderer’s Row’ of managers
Chris Thomas is the sports editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at cdthomas@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @bychristhomas.