In a rare but heartfelt public statement, former Detroit Tigers general manager and manager Ron Gardenhire, who retired from Major League Baseball in 2020, has sent a deeply personal message to current Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch. Though no longer active in the day-to-day operations of the league, Gardenhire’s words carried the weight of legacy, experience, and a genuine passion for the Tigers organization.*

Gardenhire, who managed the Tigers from 2018 until his retirement for health reasons in late 2020, played a key role in helping the team rebuild through some of its most difficult years. Though the team’s on-field record during his tenure didn’t always reflect it, Gardenhire was praised for his leadership, his ability to connect with young players, and the dignity he brought during a transitional era for Detroit.

Now enjoying retirement and mostly keeping a low profile from his home in Minnesota, Gardenhire broke his silence in an open letter, portions of which were read aloud during a Detroit sports radio segment earlier this week. His message to A.J. Hinch was filled with encouragement, but also a subtle challenge—urging the current manager not to lose sight of the franchise’s identity.

“A.J., you’ve got the keys now, and you’re steering this ship in a direction that a lot of us have been waiting for,” Gardenhire wrote. “You’ve got a roster of young blood and big dreams, and for the first time in a long time, hope is real again in Detroit. But with that hope comes responsibility—not just to the wins and losses, but to the heart of what this team represents.”

Gardenhire’s message continued with a reflection on his time at the helm. “I took over at a time when the cupboards were nearly bare. The veterans were gone, the payroll was stripped, and all we had were raw kids and tired arms. But I loved those kids. I saw the future in them. Some made it, some didn’t—but I’d do it all over again.”

He then turned more directly toward Hinch, acknowledging his unique background. “You come from a place of championships, of deep postseason runs. You know what a winning clubhouse smells like. But Detroit isn’t just any baseball town. It’s gritty. It’s blue collar. It’s loyal to the core. These fans don’t just want flash—they want fight. They want to know their team will go through hell for every inning.”

One of the more emotional parts of the letter recalled Gardenhire’s final days in Detroit. “When I left, it wasn’t the way I wanted. My body told me it was time, but my heart wanted to stay. And I left that clubhouse thinking about all the things I didn’t get to finish. You, A.J.—you’re finishing them now. And you’re doing a damn good job.”

He added a message not only to Hinch but to the team: “Don’t forget where you came from. Whether you’re a top draft pick or a Rule 5 longshot, when you wear that ‘D,’ you represent more than a team—you represent a city, a history, and a future that’s still being written. Don’t just play for the moment—play for the names in the rafters. Play for the guys who never got their shot. Play for those freezing cold fans in April who still show up in rain ponchos and Tigers caps.”

Gardenhire ended the message with characteristic humility. “I’m just an old baseball man watching from the sidelines now, but I still believe in this game, and I still believe in this city. Keep grinding. Keep leading. And when this team finally pops champagne again, I’ll be somewhere with a cold beer, smiling like hell.”

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch responded briefly to the letter during post-game media availability, saying, “I’ve always had a deep respect for Ron. What he did here during some of the hardest years—holding it all together, mentoring players who are now contributing for us—that can’t be overstated. I’m honored by his words, and I hope we can live up to the standard he helped rebuild.”

The Tigers, now a team on the rise with a mix of veteran leadership and promising youth, are in the thick of a playoff push that has reignited hope throughout Comerica Park. As fans continue to rally behind Hinch and this new chapter, the voice of Ron Gardenhire—steady, humble, and full of heart—serves as a powerful reminder that every great future stands on the shoulders of those who built through the storms.

And for Detroit, that includes a man named Gardenhire, who never won a title in the Motor City, but never stopped fighting for it.