Gabe Alvarez, the manager of the Detroit Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate team the Toledo Mud Hens, has been fired for sending inappropriate text messages to a female staff member.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers fired Alvarez, noting a “violation of club policy.” However, the team did not comment further on what had led to the personnel change.
"We will have no further comment," the Tigers said in the statement on Tuesday.
In a statement, Alvarez expanded on the situation, “I sent a single text message to a colleague that I intended as a lighthearted joke. Shortly after sending it, I recognized that the message was inappropriate and did not reflect the values and judgment I strive to uphold, and I immediately reached out to clarify my intent. I never intended to cause discomfort or offense, and I regret that the message created this situation. 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."
The female staff member recipient of the texts filed a complaint with human resources on May 4, and Alvarez was fired the next day. Prior to this incident, Alvarez had no history of disciplinary action on his record.
Alvarez has secured three division titles and served as the Double-A Erie’s manager before taking the job as the Toledo Mud Hens’ manager in 2025. Now, Mike Hessman, the former hitting coach of the Mud Hens, will take over as manager.
