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Tigers Fire Toledo Manager Over Inappropriate Text, Promote Hessman

5/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Detroit Tigers fired Toledo manager Gabe Alvarez on May 5, 2026 for an inappropriate text to a female colleague, with Alvarez later telling ESPN it was a joke he regretted.
Mike Hessman, Toledo hitting coach since 2023, was promoted to Triple-A manager, gaining Detroit manager A.J. Hinch’s trust to communicate with players.
The firing follows assistant GM Sam Menzin’s April 2025 resignation after lewd photos and misconduct reports since 2023.

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Story summary

The Detroit Tigers fired Toledo manager Gabe Alvarez on May 5, 2026 for an inappropriate text to a female colleague, with Alvarez later telling ESPN it was a joke he regretted.
Mike Hessman, Toledo hitting coach since 2023, was promoted to Triple-A manager, gaining Detroit manager A.J. Hinch’s trust to communicate with players.
The firing follows assistant GM Sam Menzin’s April 2025 resignation after lewd photos and misconduct reports since 2023.