A.J. Hinch, Tigers say hello to longtime divisional foe with a new team

DETROIT — It wasn’t all that long ago the Detroit Tigers played host to a milestone game on Oct. 1, 2023 that appeared to end two legendary careers.

A 5-2 win for the Tigers against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park marked the finale of Miguel Cabrera’s legendary playing career and Terry Francona’s time as one of the game’s best managers.

Francona managed for 23 years, amassing an overall record of 1950-1672 (.538), one of just 15 managers to ever surpass 1900 wins.

But less than two years later, Francona returned to baseball to manage another Ohio baseball team — the Cincinnati Reds.

Francona, 65, makes his return to Comerica Park Friday night as the Reds and Tigers begin a three-game series between winning clubs.

“I said goodbye to Tito not too long ago, now I’ve gotta say hello again,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch joked ahead of Friday’s series opener. “I love that guy, I love watching him, he’s great for the game.”

Hinch and Francona have seen plenty of each other over the years, having spent most of their careers in the American League.

The pair met in the 2018 ALDS as Francona’s Cleveland team met Hinch’s reigning World Series champion Houston Astros. The Astros would win the series, 3-0.

Beyond that, Hinch has often praised Francona and continued to express his admiration before leading the American League’s top team against him.

“I’ve learned a lot just from watching him across the way and now I’ve gotta go back to trying to figure out when he’s going to pull his starter and how much he’s going to use his (bullpen),” Hinch said. “He uses his roster exceptionally well and he’s a future Hall-of-Fame manager for a reason.”

While the Tigers enter the series with a 45-25 record, the Reds hold a 35-34 mark as Francona goes into his 70th game with the club.

Some injury troubles have hit the Reds recently, but Cincinnati is coming in with two straight series victories and five wins over their last six games. That includes a series win in Francona’s return to Cleveland earlier this week.

Detroit might not bring back quite the same emotion for Francona. He spent the 1996 season as the Tigers’ third-base coach working under Buddy Bell.

But Hinch is certainly excited to see Francona’s return to the opposing bench and the challenge ahead at Comerica Park this weekend.

“It’s awesome to go against him and get to say hello to him again. It’s good for the game, it’s good for baseball, the players are lucky to have him,” Hinch said. “I’ve gotta be on my toes this weekend.”