Tiger beat

Detroit hires former star shortstop Trammell as manager

Alan Trammell hit .285 in 20 seasons with the Tigers. AP

DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Tigers hired Alan Trammell, one of their former stars, as manager Wednesday with the hopes he can turn around a franchise that has endured nine straight losing seasons.

Trammell is the Tigers' fifth manager in seven years.

Detroit was 55-106 last season -- tying Tampa Bay for the worst mark in the majors -- and hasn't had a winning record since 1993, during the latter part of Trammell's stellar career as a shortstop in Detroit.

"This is a day that I'm very proud of," Trammell said Wednesday.

"I know that we can be better on quickly, that's my goal, that's my job," Trammell said.

The 44-year-old Trammell replaces Luis Pujols, who was fired Sept. 30. Pujols lost 100 games after replacing Phil Garner, who was fired in April after an 0-6 start.

Trammell, who becomes Detroit's fifth manager since Sparky Anderson's 17-season tenure ended in 1995, was San Diego's first base coach the past three seasons.

When Trammell's 20-season career in Detroit ended in 1996 he spent the next two seasons as an assistant in the franchise's baseball operations department and one season as the Tigers' hitting coach.

He was fired when Garner was hired following the 1999 season.

"There's going to be some criticism, there's going to be skepticism ... and I understand that," Trammell said at a news conference Wednesday.

"I'm hoping to prove and I'm hoping over time I will" succeed, he said.

Trammell hit .285 with 185 homers and 1,003 RBIs as Detroit's shortstop from 1977-96. The six-time All-Star won four Gold Gloves and was the World Series MVP in 1984 when the Tigers won their fourth and last championship.

"We all know the history of the English `D' that I feel a part of," Trammell said, referring to the team's letter insignia. "It's been a big part of my life."

 

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