Tigers quickly name new Triple-A manager and debut funniest headshot ever

The Tigers moved quickly after firing Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez on May 5 for what was initially termed a "violation of club policy" and was later revealed to be the sending of an "inappropriate" text message to a female colleague. This was just the latest in what's turning into a long string of alleged sexual misconduct within the Tigers organization and Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.

Mike Hessman took over as interim manager, but it didn't last long. On Tuesday, the Mud Hens announced that former Tigers coach and longtime club fixture Gary Jones would take over in a more permanent capacity.

This is objectively good news — Jones has been in the organization since 2021 and has held coaching or managerial positions for multiple different clubs — but a note for Toledo's social team: maybe choose a different photo next time?

The toothpick does seem to be a fixture for Jones, who has one between his teeth in almost every photo you'll find of him in Google Images, but maybe they should've asked him to leave it out for one picture? Maybe?

Tigers' Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens name Gary Jones as manager after Gabe Alvarez firing

The Cubs signed Jones as an undrafted free agent in 1982, and he spent seven years in the minors between the Cubs and Athletics before retiring from playing after the 1989 season. He got into managing quickly and was the A's then-Rookie level affiliate's skipper in 1990, at just 29 years old.

His most recent stint as a manager was from 2018-2021 with the Phillies' Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He was a Pacific Coast League Champion in 1996 and 1997 with the Edmonton Trappers, at the time the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics.

He's been with the Tigers since 2022, as a first base coach that year, third base coach in 2023, and outfield coach in 2024 and 2025. He was dismissed by the Tigers ahead of the 2026 season, but clearly got an enticing enough offer to come back from for the rest of this season. Hessman will go back to his initial role as a hitting coach.

2027 and beyond is still up in the air in terms of Mud Hens' leadership, but it seems like they'll be in good hands as they attempt to work their way up from a rather middling start to their 2026 season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow