Adding to their ongoing series of organizational shuffles, the Tigers will be hunting for a new Triple-A manager in 2023.
Lloyd McClendon, who was Toledo Mud Hens skipper in 2022, and who led the Mud Hens to one of their best seasons in recent years (87-63), will not return next season, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The decision, according to the source, was described as a mutual parting.
McClendon, 63, in 2006 began a long Tigers run under manager Jim Leyland as a bench coach, hitting coach, and bullpen coach. He also managed the Mud Hens in 2016 before returning to the Tigers’ big-league team in 2017 as a coach on the staff of manager Ron Gardenhire.
McClendon was interim Tigers manager after Gardenhire departed, for health reasons, in late 2020.
McClendon had earlier managed the Seattle Mariners during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and spent five seasons as the Pittsburgh Pirates manager from 2001-05.
Twice he appeared poised to win fulltime work as Tigers skipper. And twice he was disappointed. He was bypassed at the end of the 2013 season, when it looked as if McClendon was certain to steer the Tigers after Leyland retired.
The Tigers instead opted for Brad Ausmus.
He had Gardenhire’s endorsement for the fulltime job after Gardenhire stepped away in September, 2020. The Tigers instead held out for AJ Hinch and late in October made Hinch their new man.
McClendon had a solid big-league career, spanning eight years as an outfielder, first baseman, and catcher with the Reds, Cubs, and Pirates. He had earlier enjoyed what might have been greater acclaim as a Little League World Series hero for his native Gary, Indiana, team when at age 13 he slammed five home runs.
His nickname — “The Legend” — followed him throughout his baseball career.
The Tigers have not hinted at other changes to their minor-league managerial staff. Along with McClendon at Toledo, their teams in 2022 were skippered by Gabe Alvarez at Double-A Erie, Brayan Pena at high-A West Michigan, and Andrew Graham at low-A Lakeland.
Lynn Henning is a freelance writer and retired Detroit News sports reporter.