Wally Joyner has agreed to become the Detroit Tigers hitting coach, according to a report by FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Joyner, who finished his 16-year major-league career in 2001,
played briefly with new Tigers manager Brad Ausmus in 1996 with San
Diego. Like Ausmus, he worked in the San Diego front office after his
playing days, then spent a season as San Diego's hitting
coach in 2008. Last season, he was the assistant hitting coach in
Philadelphia.
Joyner acknowledged in 2005 that he had very briefly used steroids
during the late 1990s. While playing with the Padres and seeing his
hitting numbers falling off as he went through his late-30s, he asked
teammate Ken Caminiti for a supply of steroids.
Joyner, though, told ESPN: The Magazine that he only took three of the
pills before deciding to dispose of them.
Joyner was the American League's starting first baseman in the
All-Star game in 1986 -- his rookie season -- and tied Darryl Strawberry
for that year's Home Run Derby title. A month later, he doubled with
two out in the ninth to break up Walt Terrell's
no-hit bid at Tiger Stadium.
