Tigers’ Triple-A manager fired after harassment claims: Sources
Gabe Alvarez, the Detroit Tigers’ Triple-A manager, was abruptly dismissed following a human assets investigation into alleged harassment claims by a feminine worker, in response to sources briefed on the matter.
The Tigers introduced Tuesday that Alvarez’s contract had been terminated in-season “due to a violation of club policy,” however didn’t present additional particulars.
Alvarez, considered by some within the trade as a possible future big-league coach, was promoted to Triple-A Toledo in 2025. The 52-year-old managed the Tigers’ Double-A Erie affiliate for 3 seasons, which included back-to-back Eastern League titles in 2023 and ’24. Several organizational sources briefed on the matter, all of whom requested anonymity to debate a delicate subject, instructed TheAthletic that the HR division for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment — the Tigers’ dad or mum firm — was made conscious of a grievance towards Alvarez on Monday night time.
Neither the Tigers nor Alvarez nor his illustration responded to a number of requests looking for remark, though Alvarez did launch a press release to ESPN on Wednesday night time.
“I sent a single text message to a colleague that I intended as a lighthearted joke,” Alvarez mentioned within the assertion. “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 online IS+E employee handbook, a copy of which was viewed by TheAthleticstates that a violation of the company’s harassment policy will result in disciplinary action, “including immediate termination.” Alvarez’s dismissal is the newest in a sequence of latest office misconduct allegations for the Tigers and IS+E, an organization that additionally owns the Detroit Red Wings and several other leisure venues within the Detroit space, amongst different entities.
In April 2025, assistant normal manager Sam Menzin abruptly resigned after 13 years with the staff. Menzin, then 34, was considered in some circles as a rising star after ascending from intern to the entrance workplace. The Tigers didn’t reveal why he left, however TheAthletic reported that an inner investigation discovered he despatched lewd, unsolicited images to a number of girls who labored for the staff.
Last September, an investigation by The Athletic found at the very least eight males employed by IS+E or its former broadcast companion — together with Menzin — have been accused of misconduct towards girls since 2023, together with 4 vice presidents and two different high-ranking workers. Following TheAthletic‘s reporting, the group half methods with Peter Soto, vice chairman of recreation presentation and fan expertise. Ilitch Sports + Entertainment CEO Ryan Gustafson defended the organization’s workplace culture whereas encouraging transparency and accountability.
After the September investigation, Gustafson, who was promoted to his present position in March 2024, mentioned there have been no plans to contain an outdoor agency to evaluate the group’s tradition.
“Do we need to focus on continued improvement in our culture? Yes,” Gustafson mentioned in September. “But I’m very confident that there isn’t a larger issue from a misconduct standpoint.”
—Cody Stavenhagen contributed to this report.
