Michael Whitaker
The Detroit Tigers last made the MLB playoffs in 2014, losing the AL Divisional Series against the Baltimore Orioles. And with a 198-345 record their past four years, they’ve not been picked by many baseball pundits to end their non-postseason streak any time soon.
Don’t tell that to new manager A.J. Hinch, however. The 2017 World Series winner with Houston is ready to win with his new team – and start right off the bat.
“We have players that can do that,” Hinch said. “We can win any given day. Pile some of those together, go on a few runs … and, boom, all of a sudden you look up and have a lot of wins at the end of that column and you make yourself a playoff team. That’s the goal here.”
“I’m not saying we’re a World Series-caliber team right now, but we’re not going to lose Game 1 without playing,” Hinch continued. “It’s important for us to have that mindset as a young team that hasn’t necessarily had the success the last few years that’s expected around here in Detroit.”
“Don’t put limitations on yourself in December. That is a garbage mentality, and it’s not how we’re going to operate here.”
Despite the fact the Tigers aren’t expected to be active in the free agent market, Hinch has no intention of selling his current squad short.
“I just don’t believe in putting limitations on teams,” Hinch said. “I don’t believe in conceding anything until we get on the field and match up and see how many games we can win. That mindset has proven good for me over my years as a manager.”
– – Quotes via Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press Link – –
