Hinch at his news conference took full responsibility for what happened with the Astros scandalTIGERS
Tigers Chair & CEO Chris Ilitch on Friday introduced A.J. Hinch as the club's new manager, noting Hinch "had learned and grown" after serving a one-year suspension for his involvement in the Astros' sign-stealing scandal in '17 and "that resonated with me," according to David Waldstein of the N.Y. TIMES. Hinch during his news conference took "full responsibility for what happened" with the Astros. He said, "That is our reality because wrong is wrong, and it was very wrong, and I'll make sure that everyone knows that I feel responsible. Because I was the manager and it was on my watch, and I'll never forget it." Waldstein noted Hinch "never deflected responsibility or tried to diminish his role." Hinch: "I understand how wrong it was and I'm sorry for that." Waldstein wrote Hinch's "next challenge will be to address his tainted past with his new players, some of whom -- especially pitchers -- may have been victims of the Astros' misdeeds." Hinch said, "Those are tough conversations, and I will have them one by one. There is a clear message that that is part of my story and part of my career. It's not a part of the players that I am going to be managing" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/31).
CALCULATED RISK: In Detroit, Jeff Seidel wrote Hinch came off as "sincere and remorseful" on Friday and "didn't duck questions." The Tigers "believe he has changed." Ilitch said, "We have high expectations for how we're going to perform on the field, in terms of wins and losses, but also how we conduct ourselves. And I believe, to my core, that AJ is going to conduct himself in the appropriate manner beyond appropriate manner in all regards." Tigers Exec VP & GM Al Avila said of Hinch, "There was never a doubt in my mind about his character." However, Seidel wrote this hire "comes with a public relations risk for the Tigers, although the timing of this announcement minimizes it." If there is "blowback, it won't last long, with a presidential election around the corner" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/31). Avila said, "One mistake doesn't determine a man, who he is" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/30). In Detroit, John Niyo wrote, "Yes, you can argue the Tigers are risking their reputation with this move." But the risk here is a "shared one, between a down-on-its-luck franchise and a man in search of a second chance." Niyo: "Just when ownership will signal its true intentions, by opening up the pocketbook again and spending in free agency, remains to be seen, of course" (DETROIT NEWS, 10/31).
READY TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD: In Detroit, Evan Petzold wrote the Hinch hire is a "direct sign that Ilitch is going to spend (either this offseason or next) to build a postseason-caliber roster" by '22. If Hinch's hire "results in a return to the playoffs," the disgrace of the Astros' sign-stealing scandal "will fade away and fans will embrace the success." But Hinch is "only one piece to building the Tigers." Ilitch "needs to spend." Avila also "must make smart decisions with how that money is used, either on the market or by manufacturing trades to bring in some offensive talent" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 11/1). SI.com's Matt Martell wrote the explanation for Hinch's hiring is "not cynical," it is "practical." It is a decision that "pairs Detroit's rebuild with Hinch's road to reputational recovery; each will take years to complete." Hinch's responsibilities now include: "resurrecting a broken Tigers franchise; answering with full transparency any remaining questions related to the Astros and sign-stealing; earning the trust of his new players, coworkers and Detroit fans." Martell: "In other words, doing everything in his power to prove the Tigers were not wrong to give him a second chance" (SI.com, 10/30). THE ATHLETIC's Cody Stavenhagen wrote Hinch's hiring is an "aggressive move that validates the idea the Tigers are tired of losing and ready to accelerate what has become a lengthy rebuild" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/30).
