AJ Hinch is entering his first year as manager of the Detroit Tigers and is grateful just to be back in the dugout.
After winning a World Series and two pennants with the Houston Astros, Hinch spent last season serving a suspension in the aftermath of the club's sign-stealing scandal.
"I hated being out of the game last year," Hinch said. "I understand why, and I'm not going to take it for granted that I get to put on a major league uniform again and lead a group of guys throughout the season."
Hinch and the Astros won the World Series in 2017, but an investigation found the Astros used a video feed from a center-field camera to decode the opposing catcher's signs. Players also banged on a trash can to signal to hitters what was coming. Houston fired Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow, and Major League Baseball suspended them for last season.