Lloyd McClendon is back in the organization of the Detroit Tigers. McClendon, however, will not be at Comerica Park, but Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio. 

The Tigers and their affiliate, the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, announced that McClendon will be the manager for the Mud Hens in 2016. 

"I am very pleased to have Lloyd McClendon managing the Toledo Mud hens in 2016," says Dave Littlefield, Detroit Tigers V.P. of Player Development. "He is a passionate competitor, experienced baseball man and strong leader. Toledo's players and our minor league development system will benefit w/ Lloyd at the helm."

The 56-year-old brings a ton of baseball experience. He has experience on the field and in the dugout. From 2001-2005, McClendon managed the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was primarily the Tigers hitting coach from 2006-2013, before transitioning as the Seattle Mariners manager for the past two seasons. Now, he will get his first crack at managing Minor League Baseball. 

“It's an honor to come back to the Detroit Tigers organization,” said McClendon, who coached on Jim Leyland’s staff in Detroit. “I've been to Fifth Third Field many times in the past. It's a wonderful ballpark and the fans are outstanding. It should be a very enjoyable summer for us.”

Over his playing career with the Cincinnati Reds (1987-1990), Chicago Cubs (1990) and Pirates (1990-1994), McClendon hit .244/.325/.381 with 35 home runs and 154 RBI. He compiled 294 hits during the span of 570 Major League games.

“He has a tremendous amount of experience,” Littlefield said. “And not just experience: He was ‘the guy’ in the major leagues, and I think that’s of great benefit to him.

“He also was a longtime coach under Jim Leyland, a Hall of Fame-caliber manager, and I’m sure Lloyd would tell you he learned a lot from him.”

The best season for McClendon was in 1989, when he was 30, with the Cubs. McClendon - who played catcher, first base, third base and outfield - hit .286 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI over 92 games. 

Larry Parrish was the manager of the Mud Hens for the 2015 season, but announced his retirement after being a manager since 1992. As a matter of fact, Parrish managed the Tigers in 1998 and 1999. McClendon will replace him at the Triple-A level and looks to build on his success. 

“I'm going to be much more in a teaching mode compared to being a manager in the majors,” McClendon said. “I'll do my best to use my experience and knowledge of the game to help these young players develop.”