Posted on 11/03/2013 5:25:32 AM PST by cripplecreek
Brad Ausmus has never managed in the minors or the majors. In his first year on the job, he will manage a team that is among the favorites to win the World Series.
The Tigers will hire Ausmus to replace Jim Leyland as manager, according to multiple reports. Adam Spolane of SportsRadio 610 appears to be the first to report the news. It was later confirmed by Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com.
Text messages sent to Ausmus and the Tigers late Saturday night were not immediately returned. Reports indicate that he will fly to Detroit on Sunday to finalize the deal.
Ausmus, a 44-year-old former Tigers catcher, interviewed with the Tigers on Monday. He has been working as a special assistant for the San Diego Padres.
"I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with Dave and his staff," Ausmus told MLive.com via text message at the time. "I enjoyed the discussion and thought it went well."
Ausmus managed Team Israel in the qualifying tournament for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Ausmus interviewed earlier this month to be manager of the Washington Nationals, but the Nationals settled on Matt Williams instead.
Ausmus played three of his 18 seasons in the majors with the Tigers. He won three Gold Gloves in his career and was an All-Star for the Tigers in 1999.
The Tigers are certain to be favored to win the American League Central Division for a fourth consecutive season in 2014. They reached the American League Championship Series in each of the past three seasons and played in the World Series in 2012.
Former catchers should make decent managers considering the control they have as players. Jim Leyland said there was no gas left in the tank and at 44 years old Ausmus should be around a long time.
New Tigers manager will be Brad Ausmus.
I liked Leyland when he managed the Pirates. He was the last manager who showed heart.
Good luck Mr Leyland....
Maybe if Ausmus has a good year next year he can run for the Mayor of Detroit.
After the string of mayors Detroit has had since 1974, a MLB catcher will do a outstanding (or crouching) job!
Ausmus for Mayor, 2015!
Yeah he ranks up there with Sparky Anderson in my book.
HOORAY Brad Ausmus! GO TIGERS! Thank you, Jim Leyland. Very good manager. OUTSTANDING representative for the game. Thank you, sir.
This will be interesting. Everyone says Ausmus is a very bright guy. I wonder if he dabbles in SABRmetrics.
I was secretly hoping the Tigers would hire Ozzie Guillen...
Everything good, Jim.
Hope your kids or grandkids can throw you a few from time to time. You’re going to miss the grit.
Happy retirement!
I have a feeling he’ll be a pretty good manager.
Looks like you’ll have to settle for the Cubs gig, eh Pete?
Good move on DET’s part.
I had hoped for a big recognizable name but the more I think about it the more I like this pick. I suspect that Leyland had plenty of input. I know he’s always said that catchers make great managers/coaches.
It should be interesting to see what other coaching staff shows up.
“I know he’s always said that catchers make great managers/coaches.”
Yes.
He joins Girardi in the catcher-turned-manger department. I think we’ll see good things here. I also remember when they were both rookies, seems so long ago.
1989 in Girardi’s case.
I remember my White Sox PJs from back then and my mother explaining the basic rules of the game.
Was Bobby Valentine not available?
They could hire him for the off season then fire him at the end of spring training.
Catchers also build a rapport with umpires better than most players.
Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon hired to Manager the Mariners.
Red Sox appear ready to part ways with Catcher Jarrod, Salt of La macchia.
Ausmus has some big shoes to fill, replacing Jim Leyland. Hope he does a good job for the Tigers...
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