George Sipple

Detroit Free Press

It didn't take long for Alan Trammell to get back to work for the Detroit Tigers.

A couple hours after this morning's announcement that Trammell had been hired as a special assistant to general manager Dave Dombrowski, he said he had just gotten off a plane in Phoenix and was going to watch some of the organization's prospects in the Arizona Fall League.

Trammell, who has been with the Tigers as a player, coach and manager for 24 seasons, said current Tigers manager Brad Ausmus recently reached out to him to see whether he would be open to returning to the organization.

Trammell spent the past four seasons as the bench coach for former Tiger Kirk Gibson with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The staff was fired before the end of the regular season.

"Couldn't be happier," Trammell said. "Brad Ausmus, who I've been friends with and played with him -- we were neighbors for a few years, we'd go to lunch a couple times in the off-season -- and I thought it was just a call to check up on me and see how I was doing, which it was. But then at the end, he mentioned, 'Hey, I talked to with Dave recently, and we just wanted to see if you'd be interested in possibly coming back in some capacity.' Caught me off-guard. I started to think, 'You know what? Sure. I'd be interested.'"

Trammell said he was in Detroit for a couple of conversations with Dombrowski last week.

"On behalf of ownership and the Detroit Tigers organization, we're thrilled Alan Trammell has returned to the ballclub," Dombrowski said in a released statement. "Tram will forever be revered as one of the greatest Tigers to ever wear the Old English D, and we view this as an opportunity to add an outstanding baseball person who offers a wealth of experience and perspective from his 20-plus seasons, all with the Tigers, and his most recent years of managing and coaching. It's great to have him back."

Trammell said his specific duties haven't been determined. The team release said Trammell will assist in on-field duties at the major league and minor league levels, be involved in all personnel meetings, travel throughout the minor league system and participate in community relations.

Trammell, 56, said he plans to attend the winter meetings in San Diego in December.

"I told them I want to work," Trammell said. "I'm not that old.

"I'm going to come to spring training. I'm probably going to be in spring training the majority of the time. From there, I'm sure I'm going to go to the (minor league) affiliates. I'm going to be in Detroit to watch the club. It's kind of to-be-determined."

Trammell said he inquired about a couple of opportunities after being let go by the Diamondbacks.

"It feels right," Trammell said of returning to the Tigers.

He said he doesn't view this as a temporary job.

"I'm looking to do this for years to come," he said, adding that he's proud that he's so closely identified with the Tigers.

Trammell was the bench coach for the Chicago Cubs in 2007-10, where he was part of back-to-back National League Central Division titles in 2007-08. He managed the Tigers in 2003-05 and served as the club's hitting coach in 1999. In between his stints in Detroit, Trammell served as the first base coach of the San Diego Padres in 2000-02.

Trammell spent his entire 20-year playing career with the Tigers, hitting .285 with 185 home runs and 1,003 RBIs. He was a six-time American League All-Star, a three-time AL Silver Slugger and earned four AL Gold Gloves at shortstop.

Trammell and Hall of Famers Ty Cobb and Al Kaline are the only players to play 20 or more seasons with the Tigers.

He previously gave his blessing for Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler to wear his old No. 3. As for what number he will wear now, Trammell said, "That will work itself out."

The important thing is that Trammell is a Tiger again.

"I'm happy," he said. "I'm very happy."

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.