Tigers Manager AJ Hinch Given Prestigious Honor by MLB Network Insider

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Feb 19, 2025 7:06 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers shocked the baseball world with their 2024 run to Major League Baseball's second season before falling to the Cleveland Guardians in the two teams' American League Divisional series.

Detroit's rollicking comeback was not lost on the baseball world with many seeing the success of the young Tigers as a warning shot to the rest of the professional baseball world that a sleeping giant was finally back.

Tigers manager AJ Hinch helped spearhead the turnaround as the Tigers' manager, seven seasons removed from a 2017 World Series title with the Houston Astros.

Detroit's manager was given a surprising honor by MLB Network's Brian Kenny on Wednesday, placing him a surprising eight spots above Dave Roberts, whose Dodgers won the World Series in 2024.

"AJ Hinch tops BK's manager rankings," the MLB Network wrote on its X account with a 'stock up' graphic, announcing that the Tigers manager was given first place in Kenny's top ten.

Hinch topped Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers and Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres, three spots ahead of Alex Cora of the Red Sox.

A.J. Hinch tops BK's manager rankings pic.twitter.com/XzbG6IForQ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 19, 2025

The Tigers open spring training against the Philadelphia Phillies in Lakeland, Florida on Feb. 22, leading up to Opening Day on the road in Los Angeles against Roberts, Shohei Ohtani and the defending champion Dodgers on March 27, 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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