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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 10, 2002
DETROIT -- The Tigers hired former star shortstop Alan Trammell as manager Wednesday, hoping he can turn around a franchise that has endured nine straight losing seasons.
Trammell is the Tigers' fifth manager in seven years.
Detroit was 55-106 last season, tying the Rays for worst in the majors, and hasn't had a winning record since 1993, late in Trammell's stellar career.
"This is a day that I'm very proud of," Trammell said after signing a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth. "There's certain areas that I know we can be better on quickly; that's my goal, that's my job."
The player they called "Tram" said words such as tradition, history and respect used to be associated with the Tigers.
"Right now, I don't know if I can say that," said Trammell, 44. "That's going to be one of my jobs, to get that back."
BREWERS: Former Blue Jays executive Gord Ash is talking about a job as assistant to general manager Doug Melvin.
INDIANS: Second baseman Ricky Gutierrez had successful neck surgery that doctors hope will allow him to play again. Gutierrez played with a sore neck most of last season.
MARINERS: Pat Gillick will return as general manager in 2003, ending speculation that he planned to retire or move to another team.