``The drain of being away from my family and other business interests proved to be too much,'' Slaught said in a statement. ``I love coaching and I enjoyed my time with the players, a special group that got us all to the World Series.''

Slaught said he doesn't want to miss any more time with his wife and four children.

``I understand Don's situation because I was in a similar situation following the 1999 season when I left the Rockies to be with my family in Pittsburgh,'' Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. ``Don did a good job for us and we will miss him and wish him all the best.''

Slaught spent 16 years as a catcher in the majors. His one-year stint as the Tigers hitting coach was his first coaching assignment.

Van Slyke was a three-time all-star during his 13 seasons with St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Van Slyke and Slaught played for Leyland in Pittsburgh.