The Detroit Tigers manager search began just a little over two weeks ago with the retirement of Jim Leyland. Well the Tigers wasted no time with the search, hiring former MLB catcher, and current special assistant in the Padres front office, Brad Ausmus to take over the job.
The 44-year-old Ausmus has been working in the Padres front office since 2010 but has never worked as a coach or a manager at the major league level. He did manage the Israeli team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Ausmus was also rumored to be considered for the Nationals, Cubs, and Mariners vacant managerial positions.
Ausmus had an 18-year MLB career with the Padres, Astros, Dodgers, and Tigers. He played for the Tigers in 1996, 1999, and 2000. Overall he hit .251/.325/.344 with 80 career home runs, 607 career RBIs, and 102 career stolen bases. Ausmus retired after the 2010 season, spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach and Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon also interviewed for the position.
The team is expected to call a press conference next week to confirm the hire.
Under Leyland the team enjoyed a highly successful 8-year run even if they couldn’t win it all. They did make it to the 2006 World Series, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals, the 2012 World Series, falling to the San Francisco Giants, and the 2013 ALCS where they lost to the Boston Red Sox.
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