In his three seasons as manager of the Tigers, A.J. Hinch has seen glimpses of what makes Detroit such a special sports town. Look no further than the building across from Comerica Park. The Lions made Ford Field rock and roar this season as they won a franchise-best 14 games, including two home playoff games in front of electric crowds.
A big football fan, and maybe an even bigger Dan Campbell fan, Hinch took notice.
"I love what the Lions have done, that organization, for the city," Hinch said this week on The Show podcast. "The fans showed up and supported this team, just like they did us down the stretch as we guided Miguel Cabrera into retirement. The fans are incredible in Detroit. If you talk to people, players, coaches, managers, that have come to Detroit, incredible sports town, incredible support of the local teams."
Hinch said he "followed the Lions all year" and "I love the energy that Dan brought, I love the messaging that he brought, I love the toughness that he brought."
The Lions' season came to an end last Sunday in a 34-31 loss to the 49ers in the NFC title game. Campbell, who on Thursday was named by his peers the NFL Coach of the Year, drew intense scrutiny for two fourth-down decisions that didn't pan out in the second half when the Lions blew a 24-7 lead. Hinch, who's lived the highs and lows on the biggest stage in baseball, can relate.
"I’ve been there," he said. "I’ve made the move in Game 7 of the World Series that doesn't work out, I’ve made the move in Game 7 of the World Series that has worked out. The process was incredible, I know the percentages. I know Dan’s still probably thinking about all of the decisions that everyone thinks of, and I think he’s thinking of things that no one’s even brought up in his inside-decision-making throughout the game that could have shifted things.
"So I love the man, love what he’s doing for our city and for the NFL. They’re building something special across the street from us and we’re certainly going to try to match that energy."
The 2023 season was a long time coming for the Lions, who snapped a 30-year division title drought. The Tigers are stuck in a nine-year playoff drought of their own, tied with the Angels for the longest in the majors. Asked if his team can return to the playoffs in 2024, Hinch said, "I don’t like that stat you just said. That feels like forever since our fans have enjoyed Tigers baseball in the postseason."
"The answer is, I don’t know because we have to play the games, but I’m proud to say that we are making progress," said Hinch. "There is a ton of stuff to be positive about coming out of last year, whether it’s the emergence of Tarik Skubal, the development of Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene is healthy now, Kerry Carpenter had a great year, we just signed Colt Keith, that’s going to bring a lot of attention to him.
"But when I look at this team, I see progress. I see a group that’s starting to learn and understand and how to win."
The Tigers closed last season with a 17-10 record in September and finished 35-17 against the AL Central, tied with the Braves for the best inter-division record in the majors. The division is up for grabs in 2024, and the Tigers might have the team to take it. Hinch just doesn't want to think too far ahead.
"There’s going to be a lot of people that start to look around at that winning record in September or that we won a lot of games in the division, that’s a good sign. We just can’t talk that way until we earn it and until we win some games," said Hinch. "We haven’t had a winning April in my three years here. We have to get off to a better start to start dreaming of what’s ahead, but the goal is absolutely going to be taking the next step."