Detroit Tigers Hire A.J. Hinch

 

The Detroit Tigers have hired A.J. Hinch as their new manager. Hinch, 46, gets a multi-year contract. Hinch replaces Ron Gardenhire who retired on September 19, 2020 after 3 seasons managing the Tigers (2018-2020). Before becoming the manager for the Tigers, Gardenhire managed the Minnesota Twins for 13 seasons (2002-2014). Hinch was a backup catch for the Tigers in 2003, so he returns to a city he's familiar with. The Tigers will be Hinch's 3rd team he's managed. 

Most recently, Hinch managed the Houston Astros for 5 seasons (2015-2019). While with the Astros, he seemed to do well. He won three-straight AL West titles with them, including 2 World Series appearances (2017, 2019). The Astros won the World Series in 2017 in 7 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In those three seasons, the Astros won 101 or more games under Hinch. Hinch's best season came in 2019, they were 107-55.

News came out the Astros had been stealing signed during the 2017, and 2018 seasons. The MLB investigated it situation. They found evidence the the sign stealing was true. On January 13, 2020, Hinch and former Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one-year because for the scandal. On the same day, Astros Owner Jim Crane fired both Hinch and Luhnow. 

Before managing the Astros, Hinch managed the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2 seasons (2009-2010). Hinch was fired on July 1, 2010, after the Diamondbacks were 31-48. 

Overall, Hinch has managed 7 seasons in the MLB. Hinch has managed 1,022 games with a record of 570-452, and a .558 winning percentage. In the playoffs, Hinch is 28-22 with a .560 winning percentage.

Does Hinch deserve a second chance? What if the sign stealing scandal happens under Hinch with the Tigers? If were to happen, should Hinch be banned for life?