Tigers promote Toledo legend, house run king to MLB employees

DETROIT – The Home Run King is called to Detroit.

Mike Hessman, who has scored more minor league homers than any other player in history, will be the Tigers’ assistant coach for the remainder of the 2021 season.

He replaces Jose Cruz Jr., who was hired as the chief baseball coach at Rice University this week.

Hessman, 43, has been a hit coach at Triple-A Toledo for the past three seasons. He has previously worked in Connecticut, West Michigan, and Erie in the Tiger system.

Wandering minor league instructor Jeff Branson becomes the new hit coach in Toledo. Branson worked with Mud Hens manager Tom Prince when they were both on the Pittsburgh Pirates team.

Hessmann racked up 433 home runs in the minor leagues before retiring after the 2015 season. He also played one season in Japan and parts of five seasons in the major leagues, including brief appearances with the Tigers in 2007 and 2008.

He spent seven seasons with the Mud Hens, including his last year in 2015.

Hessman will meet coach Scott Coolbaugh in Detroit.

“He has earned his way here,” said Tigers manager AJ Hinch. “He knows our players very well and a lot of players were thrilled that he would get the opportunity to come here. He worked with (Coolbaugh) in the spring and was in our club until the end (of the spring training). It’s an easy transition for us. ”