Former Toledo Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez, who was fired by the Tigers this week, acknowledged he sent an “inappropriate” text message to a colleague.
Alvarez confirmed in a statement to The News on Wednesday night that he meant for the text message to be a “lighthearted joke,” but said he realized after sending it that it wasn’t appropriate.
The Tigers fired Alvarez on Tuesday, citing a “violation of club policy.” The Tigers have declined further comment.
“I sent a single text message to a colleague that I intended as a lighthearted joke,” Alvarez said in a statement he shared with The News on Wednesday night. “Shortly after sending it, I recognized that the message was inappropriate and did not reflect the values and judgment I strive to uphold.
“I immediately reached out to clarify my intent.”
Alvarez, 52, was in his second season as manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, who were 17-16 this season when he was fired Tuesday before the start of a home stand.
The Athletic reported Wednesday that a complaint was filed by a female employee with human resources on Monday, and Alvarez was fired on Tuesday.
Alvarez had been a coach in the Tigers system since 2022, when he was hired to manage the Tigers’ Double-A affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves. He managed three seasons at Erie, before he was promoted to Toledo for 2025.
He was Eastern League manager of the year in 2023, and led Erie to back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, and was viewed in some circles as a candidate to one day join Tigers manager AJ Hinch’s staff in Detroit.
“I never intended to cause discomfort or offense, and I regret that the message created this situation,” Alvarez said in his statement Wednesday. “This was an isolated incident and not reflective of my long-standing record of professionalism, respect for colleagues, and conduct over the course of my career.”
Alvarez’s coaching career began at his alma mater, Southern Cal, in 2010, after his playing days. He played parts of three seasons in the major leagues, from 1998-2000, with the Tigers and San Diego Padres. Alvarez played in the last home series at Tiger Stadium in 1999, and in the first home season at Comerica Park in 2000.
Alvarez was a second-round pick by the Padres out of Southern Cal in 1995.
Mike Hessman, 47, is the interim manager at Toledo, which split a doubleheader is his first games as manager Wednesday. Hessman, the minor leagues’ all-time home-run king, had previously been Toledo’s hitting coach.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Gabe Alvarez admits sending ‘inappropriate’ text message to colleague
Reporting by Tony Paul, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
