Hinch, along with Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow, was fired by the Astros after an investigation by Major League Baseball determined that players on the team had illegally used a video feed to steal signs from opposing catchers. Soon after that, M.L.B. suspended Hinch and Luhnow.
In only his second interview since the suspensions were handed down in January, Hinch, 46, expressed contrition during the news conference on Friday, taking full responsibility for what happened.
“That is our reality,” he said, “because wrong is wrong, and it was very wrong, and I’ll make sure that everyone knows that I feel responsible. Because I was the manager and it was on my watch, and I’ll never forget it.”
In five seasons with Hinch as manager, the Astros went 481-329, winning the World Series in 2017 and the American League pennant in 2019. But in an article in The Athletic last November, the former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers, now with the Oakland Athletics, detailed how players had illegally stolen signs from a video feed and then banged on trash cans in the dugout to signal to their teammates at the plate what pitch was coming.
Hinch was not found to be directly involved in the caper, and was said to have generally frowned on it. But the report said he did not put a stop to it or overtly express his displeasure. On Friday, he never deflected responsibility or tried to diminish his role.
“I understand how wrong it, was and I’m sorry for that,” Hinch said as he sat between Ilitch and Al Avila, the Tigers’ general manager. “I’ll never forget the feeling that I’ve had the past year as I’ve navigated this with my family. But you quickly get to the exciting time of getting back and leading a group of men again and establishing what Tigers baseball is going to be all about.”
This is the third managerial position for Hinch. He also managed parts of two seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks, in 2009 and 2010.
Alex Cora, who was Hinch’s bench coach in 2017 and went on to manage the Boston Red Sox to the 2018 World Series championship, was also suspended by M.L.B. and fired by Boston for his role in the Astros’ 2017 scheme. Hinch’s return to baseball could help provide a pathway for Cora to return to M.L.B. as well, and he has been reported to be a candidate for the Red Sox’s open manager position.
