DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have chosen Brad Ausmus as their new manager, hiring the 44-year-old former catcher with almost no managerial experience to replace Jim Leyland at the helm of the three-time defending AL Central champions.
The Tigers announced the move Sunday.
Ausmus, who worked most recently in the San Diego front office as a special assistant to the general manager, emerged as Detroit’s pick less than two weeks after Leyland stepped down. Ausmus takes over a team that has reached the AL championship series three straight years and should be well positioned for another big season in 2014.
Ausmus managed Israel’s team in the World Baseball Classic, but he’s inexperienced as a manager compared to some other potential candidates. Ausmus played in the majors from 1993-2010.
