Detroit Tigers: Chris Bosio a difference maker

While Detroit Tigers fans have enjoyed watching twelve years of baseball excellence, their team fell short of a World Series win. Two World Series appearances and four Central Division Championships since 2006 have simply lead to frustration. A change was in the works.

The Detroit Tigers could not win the big series. Some experts have said it was simply bad timing or bad luck, while others have placed the blame on the coaching staff.

Pitching coaches in particular have come under scrutiny. Since 2006, the Detroit Tigers have had six different pitching coaches. The most recent coach to fill that spot is Chris Bosio.

As Tiger fans know this year’s team is in the rebuilding process. The task before Bosio is daunting.

Big League Experience

Bosio was a successful pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1986-1996. Bosio has a no-hitter to his credit and a 94-93 record. His career ERA was 3.96.

After pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners he accepted a coaching position with the Mariners organization. He was once again successful and helped lead their AAA team to a PCL title. While doing so his pitching staff recorded the lowest ERA in the league.

Bosio subsequently moved on to the Brewers organization and once again found success.

As pitching coach for the Brewers AAA club, he led the Nashville Sounds to the lowest ERA in the Pacific Coast League. The Brewers promoted him to be their pitching coach shortly thereafter.

While in the Milwaukee minor league system, he crossed paths with Mike Fiers. The Tigers pitcher found great success under Bosio’s tutelage. Under Bosio’s coaching, Fiers went 8-0 with a 1.10 ERA.

Fiers would subsequently sign with the Detroit Tigers to be under Bosio’s instruction.

After a stint with the Brewers, Bosio joined the Cubs organization. He was their Major League pitching coach from 2012 until his departure in October of 2017. His pitching staff helped the Cubs win a World Series title in 2016.

While as pitching coach for the Cubs, Bosio is credited as being the driving force behind Jake Arrietta’s Cy Young award 2015 season and Kyle Hendricks National League ERA title in 2016.

Bosio’s stint with the Cubs was not all roses. Partial blame for Justin Wilson‘s failure last season has been laid at Bosio’s feet.

Apparently, the Cubs believe that Wilson was not properly acclimated into the Cubs system. Wilson was never comfortable in Chicago and, for that reason it’s believed, had a bad second half.

Bosio was fired in October of 2017. The Detroit Tigers immediately selected Bosio as pitching coach in November of 2017.

A Difference Maker

Katie Strang, a reporter for The Athletic, reported that Bosio has already made an impact on young pitchers Michael Fulmer and Daniel Norris.

Unlike his predecessor Rich Dubee, Bosio is a hands on coach. If he sees a problem, he will not hesitate to correct it.

To the apparent delight of both Fulmer and Norris, the coach has already made slight changes in their delivery. According to and article by Chris McClosky, Bosio’s pitching philosophy is up-tempo and do not be afraid to pitch inside.

The pitching coach does not restrict his coaching to pitchers. He takes an active role in mentoring the catching staff.  Pitching success, he believes, depends on team work. Catchers are part of that team.

Next: 2006 Detroit Tigers: Where are they now?

Bosio, while ecstatic at the opportunities in Detroit, is not naive. He knows his task is to develop young pitchers at the major league level, “that’s something that we attacked and embraced in Chicago, and that’s something I’m looking forward to in Detroit.”

Detroit Tiger fans should look forward to and embrace Chris Bosio in Detroit!