The Tigers announced Thursday that they’ve promoted Triple-A manager Gary Jones to the Major League staff, where he’ll serve as the team’s new first base coach. The promotion comes in the wake of the tragic death of Detroit first base coach Kimera Bartee, passed away at just 49 years of age earlier this offseason due to a brain tumor.
Jones, 61, assumes his new role under unenviable circumstances, but he’ll bring a wealth of prior coaching and managerial experience to the position. He’s spent more than three decades in professional baseball, serving as a minor league skipper with the A’s, Red Sox and Padres — where he also worked as a minor league coordinator for nearly a decade. Jones was also Oakland’s first base coach back in 1998. He also served as the Cubs’ third-base coach from 2014-17, meaning he’s no stranger to newly signed shortstop Javier Baez or to third baseman Jeimer Candelario — who debuted with the Cubs in 2016-17 before being traded to Detroit at the ’17 deadline.
Jones joins third base coach Ramon Santiago, bench coach George Lombard, hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, assistant hitting coach Mike Hessman, pitching coach Chris Fetter, assistant pitching coach Juan Nieves and quality control coach Josh Paul in rounding out manager A.J. Hinch’s staff for the upcoming season.
Jones’ ascension to the Major League staff left a vacancy with the Triple-A Toledo MudHens, but they’ve also filled that role with a very familiar name: Lloyd McClendon. The 63-year-old McClendon managed the MudHens back in 2016, but he’s best known for his time as the big league manager with the Pirates (2001-05), Mariners (2014-15) and his stint as the Tigers’ interim manager late in the 2020 season, following Ron Gardenhire’s retirement.
McClendon also has 16 years of Major League coaching experience — most of it coming with the Tigers organization. He’s previously held the roles of bullpen coach, hitting coach and bench coach with the Tigers, working alongside managers Jim Leyland, Brad Ausmus and Gardenhire.
Maybe one day, Tiger nation will hear Inge’s name in the coaching conversation? Or, Grandyman
Grandy, sure. Inge, no thanks. Still remember him whining about Cabrera taking his position. That, and his home run derby, lol.
I honestly do not remember the complaining. And if he did, I wouldn’t think the slightest bit differently. I always thought he gave us his all & seemed very proud of the city and the team. I do not think I’ve ever been to Comerica Park without seeing at least one Inge jersey. He meant a lot most fans (well, at-least me haha).
No man that was when Pudge came in and took his catcher’s mitt
Inge would be awesome. Great infielder and has a catching background as well. He might like it.
Yes on both,, grandy especially.
Curtis would be a great coach, but he needs to be under the bright lights, on TV.
inge is actually a volunteer coach at university of Michigan.
AAA stadiums had better nail their bases down extra tight, Lloyd McClendon’s coming to town.
I’m just happy that “Leave ’em loaded Lloyd” isn’t the Tigers’ hitting coach anymore!
I would be happier if Lloyd wasn’t involved with the team in anyway. They just got rid of the “old way” guys to get everyone on board with the new system they are implementing for coaching and development, and then they bring back the poster boy for doing things the “old way”. SMH
I get that feeling. But a couple of things. At this juncture, your best candidates are likely hired elsewhere. With the changes that have been made, there is no way they would hire Lloyd without him being on board with all of this. AAA is too important to leave it to a guy who isn’t going to tow the company line.
Lloyd is fine at AAA. Most of those guys are 4A players and former MLB players. He might have a few pitchers that are getting ready or a few position players that need more seasoning. I am sure the 4 or 5 players that are part of the future will not be hampered by him. If he was at AA or high A ball, then we have an issue.
Terribly unfair and inaccurate depiction of Lloyd’s tenure as the Tigers hitting coach. He was our hitting coach during our most recent heyday and we had one of the more potent offenses in the league, including being one of the top RISP hitting teams. Far from a leave ’em loaded offense.
I would have rather they left Jones in AAA and had someone else, even Lloyd coach first base. But usually this time of year there is not a lot of flexibility when you need to replace a coach. Bartee’s loss was tragic.
Also, Jones is 61, McClendon is 63. Neither are young and are potentially “old way” guys. But AJ isn’t going to want an “old way” guy either at AAA or on his staff.
Old guys are not necessarily ” old way” guys and young guys can be ” old way” guys. Trust that AJ has the guy he wants.
Lloyd is a good choice to prepare Tork & Greene for the bigs.
Greene will make the Tigers opening day roster.
Hoping that Cameron Maybin would get the job to work with outfielders and base stealing.
Granderson would be a nice addition as well.
Maybin just might get into coaching eventually but not until he’s had at least a year out of the game as most former ballplayers do after the grind of travel
You get a break on this one, Al.
Honestly, what is the particular vendetta you have against the Tigers and the fanbase? Detroit has rivals sure, but I don’t think there’s a single team out there where they are another team’s 2nd biggest rival, let alone first.
Maybe Cleveland?
Maybe, amongst the players! I have been to a fair share of dollar dog nights throughout the years 🙂 I have never experienced an issue with CLE fans, other than the occasional foul language towards the umps. Which is weird, because I’ve heard Brown fans are on a completely different level! But, it’s a thankless situation knowing I can take my kids to a ball game and not be harassed.
As a lifelong Tiger fan who’s lived in New England a long time, I can say a lot of Red Sox fans consider the Tigers a historic ML rival. I always have a great time at Fenway when the Tigers are in town. BoSox fans respect and are very wary of our “Pesky Bengals”.
I went to 2 games at Fenway. And I recommend it, for any fan. The environment is incredible, and nothing I’ve experienced anywhere else. Get an Airbnb in Back Bay, tour the city, the food is underrated- Galleria Umberto is a gem, public transit is very reasonable, and Fenway is everything talked about-plus. I will certainly be going back there
Red Sox-Tiger games at Fenway were a blast. I haven’t been to all the parks but I’ve crossed paths with just about every fan base and I can say that after Tiger fans, Red Sox fans are as knowledgeable as they come. Nothing but fun yukking it up with Saux fans while wearing my vintage Al Kaline jersey.
Am a little surprised they aren’t bringing back Lamont to stop at Dunkin Donuts on his way to Toledo as Lloyd’s bench coach.
Lamont was a staple to the team haha. Big dude, but a good dude