GOOD NEWS | A.J. Hinch ignites Detroit with powerful vow: “We want more” — Tigers’ fiery leader declares the fight for greatness has only just begun
A.J. Hinch has never been one for empty words. When the Detroit Tigers manager stepped up to the microphone this week and delivered a simple but powerful message — “We want more” — it wasn’t a slogan. It was a statement of identity.
For a franchise that has spent years clawing its way out of mediocrity, Hinch’s declaration hit like a spark. His tone wasn’t loud or theatrical, but it carried conviction — the kind that comes from a man who’s seen the grind, the setbacks, and the long road back to respectability.
“I have great appreciation for everything we did,” Hinch said, pausing for a moment. “But we want more. We know we can do more and achieve higher bars. What a great accomplishment for us to reset the bar to where we’re at — and to know this city, this fan base, this organization, these players and these coaches can do more. And we’re going to work tirelessly to do it.”
Those words might as well have been directed to every corner of Detroit. A city built on resilience — a place that understands hard work, perseverance, and rebirth. In many ways, Hinch’s message wasn’t just about baseball. It was about the city itself, a reminder that progress is never enough when greatness is still out there waiting.
Since his arrival in 2021, Hinch has transformed the Tigers’ identity from a rebuilding project into a team with purpose and personality. Under his leadership, the Tigers have developed a young core full of promise — from Tarik Skubal’s dominance on the mound to Riley Greene’s energy in the outfield and Spencer Torkelson’s emerging power at the plate. The progress has been steady, but in Hinch’s eyes, not nearly finished.
That’s why his “We want more” message resonates so deeply. It’s a challenge to his players, to the organization, and even to himself. It’s a call to never settle.
“He’s always pushing us,” Skubal said in an interview earlier this year. “Even when we win, he reminds us there’s another level we can reach. He expects us to compete like we belong with the best.”
The Tigers’ 2025 season has been a test of patience and grit. They’ve endured injuries, bullpen struggles, and narrow losses. But they’ve also shown flashes of what Hinch is building — a team that fights to the last out, plays for each other, and embraces the blue-collar identity of Detroit.
Local media and fans have taken notice. Comerica Park crowds have grown louder and more optimistic, sensing that the team’s foundation is finally solid. “This is the most belief I’ve felt here in a decade,” one season-ticket holder told The Detroit Free Press. “When Hinch talks, you believe him. You can feel it.”
Hinch’s leadership style has always been rooted in accountability. He doesn’t sugarcoat struggles or chase headlines. Instead, he leads through connection — earning the trust of his players and the respect of his city.
“He doesn’t just manage a game,” one team insider said. “He manages emotions, expectations, and people. That’s what makes him special.”
For Detroit, a city that knows how to rebuild from the ground up, Hinch’s words have become more than motivation — they’re a mission statement. “We want more” isn’t about impatience. It’s about hunger. It’s about believing that the next step — the playoff return, the championship contention — is within reach, as long as they keep fighting for it.
As the season winds down and the Tigers look toward the future, Hinch’s message will continue to echo through Comerica Park. The city hears it. The players feel it. And perhaps most importantly, Detroit believes it.
Because for the first time in years, the Tigers don’t just want more. They expect it.
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