Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch used the word "bittersweet" to describe losing assistant hitting coach Jose Cruz Jr., who was hired Wednesday as Rice University's head coach.
"First and foremost, we're really happy for Cruz and his family," Hinch said Thursday. "Jose is a tremendous person, tremendous coach. ... As an alum, he's got a great presence there. He lives near there. He's got family members there. It's a real touching story for him in a return to a place where he's pretty famous."
While Cruz, 47, gets to return to his alma mater, the Tigers took on the responsibility of tweaking their coaching staff during the season.