First base coach Anthony Iapoce will not return to the team next season, as first reported by Andy Martino of SNY. He had served in the position since 2024. Iapoce had been in the organization for the past three seasons. He managed Detroit’s Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens, in 2023.
As Jason Beck of MLB.com noted, Iapoce was well-regarded in the Tigers’ clubhouse. Players were seen with “Coach Poce” t-shirts before games.
Iapoce has held a variety of roles since wrapping up an 11-year playing career in 2005. He worked as a minor league hitting coach for the Marlins’ organization from 2006 to 2009. Iapoce spent the next three seasons as a minor league hitting coordinator with Toronto. From there he moved on to the Cubs, working as a special assistant to the General Manager from 2013 to 2015.
Iapoce earned his first MLB gig in 2016, serving as the hitting coach for the Rangers. He held that role until 2019, when he became the Cubs’ hitting coach, a position he would occupy through 2021. Texas was a top 10 scoring offense in 2016 and 2017, before slipping to 14th in Iapoce’s final season. Chicago topped out at 10th in scoring during Iapoce’s tenure.
Given his extensive experience and the support he had in Detroit, Iapoce seems like a good bet to latch on with another club this upcoming season.
Good luck Poce!
Just me, but I think Anthony has higher aspirations and he sees his future topped out in Detroit as a 1B coach. To the extent that taking the extra base was a Tiger mantra the last couple years, Iopoce was good at that. I don’t think this was a firing, but more likely, his wanting to explore other opportunities. Good luck to him.
I would think so too, but I’m watching for more info…..the way the offence has fluctuated the last few years, I wouldn’t be too surprised if The Tigers simply chose not to re-sign him.
No disrespect to Anthony but the Tigers mantra of first to third is the result of Joey Cora.
So I actually work with his sister, Anthony’s, she he was blindsided and that the coaching staff was all together in Detroit for a few days and they waited for him to be home to can him. I do hope he gets another job with another club. He was beloved by the players
I actually enjoyed him immensely while he played for our local Indy team (Gary SouthShore RailCats) Having front row seats on the home plate of the dugout, there were lots of conversations. Keep moving forward Poce… M-V-P….. M-V-P…..
Sacrificial fall guy?