By George B. Eichorn
There comes a time in anyone’s baseball career. It’s a time to reflect and even relish in what you achieved either on or off the field. That time has arrived for Jim Leyland.
The one-time manager of the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida (Miami) Marlins and Colorado Rockies has enjoyed his accomplishments in the most excitable way as he was inducted last month into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and had his No. 10 jersey retired by the Tigers in a way designed for the Hall of Famer which he is.
“When I look out on that wall and see my name with the Tiger greats, it’s hard to believe,” Leyland said Saturday night during a pregame ceremony before Detroit played the Kansas City Royals.
August 2, 1970 – almost 54 years to the day of Leyland’s jersey ceremony I was at Tiger Stadium with friends to see Al Kaline Day. Al and his wife Louise were driven around the outfield and infield warning track in a white Cadillac. Leyland was driven into Comerica Park last Saturday in a white Corvette.
Kaline was surrounded by his Tiger teammates and former greats such as Charlie Gehringer, George Kell, Hal Newhouser, Hank Greenberg, Billy Rogell and others. Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Michigan Gov. William Milliken and Detroit Mayor Roman Gribbs honored Kaline. Leyland’s ceremony brought out Willie Horton, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Miguel Cabrera, Kirk Gibson, Brandon Inge, Todd Jones, Andy Dirks, Dan Petry, Lance Parrish and Gene Lamont – Leyland’s close friend and bench coach for many seasons. Dan Dickerson, play-by-play voice of the Tigers was the emcee.
Both ceremonies were awesome to attend – one as a fan and the other with the media – as two men who excelled in their respective careers soaked in the adulations of their peers and fans. I had a box seat for Kaline Day and it cost just $3.75. That location today at Comerica Park is $100 or more.
Video tributes to Leyland on the jumbotron included Dave Dombrowski, Justin Verlander, Trammell, Parrish, Gibson and many others. Gifts on the field were given by owner Chris Ilitch, president Scott Harris and Ilitch company executive Ryan Gustafson.
Leyland’s No. 10 is the tenth number retired in franchise history. The only other Tigers manager with the distinction is Sparky Anderson and his No. 11. Leyland managed here from 2006-2013, finishing with 700 wins and 597 losses. Overall in his managerial career, Leylanbd finished with 1,769 wins and ranks 18th in MLB history. He managed 3,499 gamers which is 17th highest in MLB history.
During his eight seasons as a Tigers skipper he won four American League division titles, two AL pennants and took Detroit to two World Series – losses to St. Louis and San Francisco, respectively, in 2006 and 2012. He managed MVPs, Cy Young Award winners, Most Valuable Players, a Triple Crown winner (Cabrera), no-hitters, and walk-off wins such as Magglio Ordonez’ home run to send the Tigers to the 2006 Series.
Leyland is a three-time Manager of the Year – twice with the Pirates and once with Detroit. He managed All-Star teams and was the winning manager in the 1997 as his Marlins bested the Cleveland Indians, 4-3. Leyland also led team USA to victory in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Whether berating an umpire for what he thought was a botched call or taking a drag or two on his cigarette in the dugout tunnel area, Leyland was a baseball geek. His career started with the Tigers as a player and ended with the Tigers as manager. He is well respected and admired by fans, players, coaches and managers alike and deservedly so Hats off Jim Leyland! Thank you for all the memories!
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @Sandgsports99 on X (formerly Twitter). Order his book:
Detroit’s Sports Broadcasters: On the Air: Eichorn, George B, Introduction Harwell, Ernie.
