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The Detroit Tigers have dismissed the manager of their Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens, citing a “violation of club policy” as the reason for this decision.
Gabe Alvarez, who was in the midst of his second season at the helm of the Mud Hens, was relieved of his duties. The specifics of the policy breach were not made public by the organization.
In the wake of Alvarez’s departure, hitting coach Mike Hessman will step in as the interim manager.
Alvarez, 52, originally joined the Tigers’ system in 2022, initially taking charge of the Double-A Erie Seawolves. Under his leadership, the Seawolves secured two Eastern League championships, and Alvarez earned the title of Eastern League Manager of the Year in 2023.
The 52-year-old was hired by the Tigers in 2022 to manage the Double-A Erie Seawolves. whom he led to two Eastern League titles. He was also named Eastern League Manager of the Year in 2023.
He was promoted to manage Toledo after the 2024 season.
A former third baseman and outfielder, Alvarez appeared in 81 games for the Tigers from 1998-2000 and also made 11 appearances for the Padres in 2000, his last time playing in the majors.
He hit .222 with a .646 OPS, seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 92 career big-league games.
Alvarez was a second-round pick by the Padres out of USC in the 1995 draft and was later taken by the Diamondbacks in the 1997 expansion draft, but Arizona then traded him to the Tigers.
Hessman is known for hitting 433 home runs in the minor leagues, the record for the minors in the United States.
He appeared in 109 major league games, including 32 games for the Mets during the 2010 season.
He hit 14 MLB home runs while also playing for the Braves and Tigers.
The Mud Hens are currently 17-16 and sit in fourth place in the International League West division.