Tigers hire Brookens to coach first, oversee outfield, baserunning

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers named former infielder Tom Brookens as the team's first base, outfield and baserunning coach.

Manager Jim Leyland said Monday Brookens is a "perfect fit" for the staff.

Brookens played 12 seasons with Detroit (1979-88), the New York Yankees (1989) and Cleveland Indians (1990). He finished his career with a .246 batting average, 71 home runs and 431 RBI in 1,336 games.

He spent the past five seasons as a minor league manager in the Tigers organization, compiling a 310-262 record.