Tigers interview Braves coach for managerial opening

The Detroit Tigers have reportedly interviewed Braves catching coach Sal Fasano in their search for a manager to replace Ron Gardenhire

Ron Gardenhire’s sudden retirement just before the end of the 2020 MLB season sent the Detroit Tigers on an unexpected search for a new manager.

That search appears to have taken them to Atlanta’s Sal Fasano.

Fasano, who is currently the catching coach for the Braves, was interviewed by the Tigers, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.

Braves catching coach Sal Fasano is a candidate for the Tigers’ manager gig

Fasano may be most well known for his trademark mustache, but staff photos for the 2020 season show him sans the facial hair. Disappointing as that may be, he clearly doesn’t need the stache to draw the attention of teams looking for a new manager.

During his lengthy career as a catcher beginning in 1996, Fasano played for the Royals, Athletics, Rockies, Angels, Orioles, Phillies, Yankees, Blue Jays and Indians. He called it quits in 2008.

Since then, Fasano has made his way through the coaching ranks. He served as a manager at the minor league level with the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts and Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the Blue Jays organization. In the latter position, he was named Manager of the Year in the Eastern League.

Despite that minor league success, his time in the majors has been relatively short. He served as Toronto’s minor league catching and pitching coordinator before getting his first MLB post with the Braves in 2018.

Whether or not the Tigers ultimately decide to take a chance on Fasano, he’s a name to watch in managerial discussions going forward.

The Tigers finished last in the AL Central in 2020 with a 23-35 record. Whoever takes over will have some work to do to drag them up the standings.