On April 9, 2025, the Detroit Tigers suffered a 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, a defeat that overshadowed a valiant effort by veteran slugger Miguel Cabrera and ignited a wave of criticism aimed at head coach AJ Hinch. The loss, which dropped the Tigers to 8-5 on the season, prompted scathing remarks from both longtime opponents and frustrated fans, who accused Hinch of underperforming and warned that his leadership could lead to a “miserable” collapse for the team. In response, Hinch delivered a fiery rebuttal, defending his approach while vowing to steer the Tigers back on track.
The game started with promise for Detroit, largely thanks to Cabrera, the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer who has transitioned into a part-time role this season. Despite his limited play, Cabrera went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the fifth inning, giving the Tigers a 4-2 lead. His performance, a reminder of his glory days, had fans on X buzzing with nostalgia, with one user posting, “Miggy’s still got it—carrying this team!” But the lead slipped away in the seventh when a fielding error by shortstop Javier Báez allowed the Yankees to tie the game. The bullpen faltered in the eighth, with Aaron Judge delivering a two-run double off reliever Jason Foley to secure the Yankees’ victory.
Post-game, the mood turned sour as criticism rained down on Hinch. Yankees outfielder Juan Soto took a direct shot, telling reporters, “Hinch made it easy for us—his decisions were obvious, and we took advantage.” Longtime Tigers fans echoed the sentiment, with some confronting Hinch outside the dugout, shouting that he “wasn’t doing a good job” and warning, “If you keep this up, the Tigers will lose miserably!” On X, the hashtag #HinchOut gained traction, with one fan writing, “Miggy gave his all, but Hinch’s mismanagement cost us. We deserve better!”
The criticism centered on Hinch’s decision to pull starter Tarik Skubal after 5.2 innings despite his dominance (7 strikeouts, 2 runs), as well as his choice to stick with Foley in the eighth despite the reliever’s recent struggles (5.14 ERA). The Tigers’ bullpen, which ranks 22nd in the MLB with a 4.12 ERA, has been a persistent weak spot, and Báez’s error marked his third in 13 games, fueling calls for lineup changes that Hinch has yet to make.
Hinch didn’t shy away from the backlash in his post-game press conference. “I know Miggy put his heart into this game, and I take full responsibility for the loss,” he said, his tone a mix of frustration and resolve. “To the fans and opponents talking—I hear you. But I’m not going anywhere. We’re a good team, and we’ll prove it. We’ve got work to do, and I’m the guy to get it done.” He also hinted at adjustments, saying, “We’ll look at everything—lineups, bullpen roles, all of it.”
With a challenging series against the Boston Red Sox looming on April 11, Hinch’s leadership will be tested. For now, his response shows he’s ready to fight for his team—and his job—despite the growing chorus of detractors.
