Sam Menzin Resigns from Tigers Amid Scandal Over Lewd Photos Sent to Female Staffers
April 8, 2025, 3:53 AM PDT — Sam Menzin, a longtime Detroit Tigers assistant general manager, resigned last Thursday, April 3, just as the organization prepared to fire him following an internal investigation into allegations he sent unsolicited lewd photos to female employees. The probe, detailed in a Monday report by The Athletic, uncovered claims that Menzin, 34, had targeted multiple women in the baseball industry with graphic images via Snapchat—some dating back to 2017—prompting swift action from the Tigers and reigniting debates about workplace culture in sports.
The investigation revealed that two women who worked for the Tigers received photos of Menzin’s genitals on several occasions, while a third woman, employed elsewhere in baseball, reported similar messages around 2018-19. The women, speaking anonymously to The Athletic, described a pattern of unsolicited contact, with one explaining the delay in reporting: “It’s like no one says anything because who is going to believe them when they say Sam Menzin did this? It’s not a bat boy—it’s Sam Menzin.” She cited a front-office environment where few women held roles, fostering a sense that speaking out “wasn’t an option.”
Menzin, who joined the Tigers in 2012 as a baseball operations intern under Dave Dombrowski, rose through the ranks to become assistant GM in 2021, serving under three lead executives. His exit, six games into the 2025 season, followed a rapid probe launched after the allegations surfaced recently—though the conduct spanned years. “Upon being made aware of the allegations as to Sam Menzin’s conduct, the club promptly completed an investigation,” the Tigers said in a statement. “Before the club could terminate Mr. Menzin, he resigned. This type of behavior is contrary to our standards and has absolutely no place within our organization.”
The fallout has rippled beyond Detroit. Menzin texted The Athletic Friday claiming he sought a career change and was moving to New York for “family issues,” but dodged further comment Monday. Posts on X erupted, with sentiments ranging from shock—“Tigers AGM out over Snapchat nudes? Wild”—to outrage over the power dynamics at play. The Tigers’ HR official, Danny Rosengard, had been contacting women as recently as last week to corroborate claims, per sources, underscoring the investigation’s urgency.
As Trump’s tariffs tank markets—a $5 trillion S&P 500 hit—Menzin’s scandal adds a local sting to a chaotic news cycle. His 13-year tenure, once marked by modernizing the Tigers’ analytics and player development, now ends in disgrace, leaving questions about accountability and whether MLB will probe further. For now, the Tigers (5-4) shift focus to their April 8 clash with the Yankees, but Menzin’s shadow looms over Comerica Park.
