Set to face former team, A.J. Hinch reflects on connection with Tigers pitcher

DETROIT — A.J. Hinch and Charlie Morton have been through a lot together.

The pair first connected in 2017 when Hinch was managing the Houston Astros and Morton signed with the team as a free agent coming off a lost season due to a torn hamstring.

Two years together in Houston that included a World Series victory and Morton’s first All-Star selection created an everlasting bond that finally reunited in Detroit at this year’s trade deadline.

“We’re both relationship-based people and so we hit it off quickly. And, you know, I will always tell the player what I think, how I think we’re going to go about it and what the expectations are. He really took that to heart,” Hinch said.

“I think what makes Charlie tick is a personal connection with what he’s doing, whether it’s family based or fr