DETROIT, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Alan Trammell, one of only three Detroit Tigers to spend 20 years with the team and the Most Valuable Player of the 1984 World Series, was named the franchise's manager Wednesday.
A six-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop with Detroit from 1977-96, Trammell has not managed at any level. He served as Tigers hitting coach in 1998 and San Diego's first base coach from 2000-02.
"Going away has been a good experience, learning the National League," said the 44-year-old Californian, whose hitting coach will be managerial prospect Bruce Fields. "I'm more prepared for this role."
Many thought Trammell never would be prepared. During his playing days, he was regarded as one of the nicest players in baseball, a personality not necessarily suited for the role of major league manager.
"If you think about this, I didn't play in the major leagues being a nice guy," he said. "You don't succeed just being nice."
The Tigers suffered through their ninth straight losing season in 2002, going 55-106. They have little to build on, especially after trading their best player --pitcher Jeff Weaver -- to the New York Yankees this season.
"Is it going to change overnight? No, we know that," Trammell said. "Don't kid yourself. What I'm going to guarantee you is professionalism. That's what I'm about."
Playing in cavernous Comerica Park, the Tigers were last in the American League with 124 home runs and 575 runs scored and next-to-last with a .248 batting average. Their pitching staff was 11th in the AL with a 4.93 ERA and last with 794 strikeouts.
"We know that it will take some time," Trammell said. "But I know there are some areas we can improve on quickly."
The Tigers do have the resources. Ownver Mike Ilitch also controls the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings of the NHL and Trammell said Ilitch is really a baseball fan.
"We know what kind of product he has with the Detroit Red Wings," Trammell said. "He's first a baseball fan. He was a player a while back and he has a love for this great game."
Trammell was a key on one of the franchise's best teams -- the 1984 squad that started the season 35-5, cruised to the AL East crown, buried the Kansas City Royals in the Championship Series and beat up the San Diego Padres in the World Series.
Trammell was the MVP in that series, hitting .450 with two home runs and six RBI.
He hit better than .300 seven times, including the 1987 season, when he set career highs with a .343 average, 28 homers and 105 RBI and was runner-up to Toronto Blue Jays left fielder George Bell in MVP voting.
By the time he retired, Trammell ranked among the top 10 in franchise history in hits, runs, games, doubles, RBI, at bats and stolen bases. He, Ty Cobb and Al Kaline are the only Tigers to spend 20 years with the franchise.
"Alan is a true Tiger," general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "And we feel he is ready to lead this club."
From 1979-95, Trammell played under Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, one of the people who thought his former shortstop might be too nice to make the move to skipper.
"I've chatted with Sparky a few times," Trammell said. "I cherish his wisdom. He's more than a manager to me, he's a father figure."
