DETROIT (AP) — A picture of Jim Leyland’s face stared out from the video board at an empty Comerica Park, next to that familiar Olde English “D’’ and a message that said simply: “Thank You Jim.”
After eight seasons managing the Tigers, including three division titles and two American League pennants, Leyland stepped down Monday. His voice cracking at times, his hands wiping away tears at others, he announced his departure two days after Detroit was eliminated by Boston in the AL championship series.
“It’s been a thrill,” the 68-year-old Leyland said during a news conference at the ballpark. “I came here to change talent to team, and I think with the help of this entire organization, I think we’ve done that. We’ve won quite a bit. I’m very grateful to have been a small part of that.”
In 1992, his Pirates lost Game 7 of the NLCS when Atlanta rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning. Five years later, Leyland won his only World Series title as manager when his Florida Marlins beat Cleveland in an 11-inning thriller in Game 7.
He’s experienced some of the highest highs the game has to offer, but also endured difficult rebuilding periods in both Pittsburgh and Florida.
After one season with the Colorado Rockies, Leyland didn’t manage at all from 2000-05 before Detroit hired him. Leyland led the Tigers to the World Series immediately after taking over in 2006, losing to St. Louis in five games. The Tigers went to the World Series again in 2012 but were swept by San Francisco.
Leyland worked under one-year contracts the last couple of years, saying he was content to wait until after the season to address his status. He was reflective late this season, mentioning to reporters that he had already managed the Tigers longer than he had expected they would keep him, but he also said in September that he still loved the atmosphere, the competition and his team.
In fact, he’d actually told general manager Dave Dombrowski in early September that he didn’t want to return as manager. He expects to remain with the organization in some capacity after going 700-597 as Tigers manager.
“I’m not totally retiring today, I’m just not going to be in the dugout anymore,” Leyland said. “I hope and pray that you give the next manager the same respect and the same chance that you gave me.”
Detroit’s players found out about Leyland’s departure after Saturday night’s game in Boston, where the Red Sox won Game 6 to take the series.
“You’ve got your head down, you lost and the season’s over, and then Jim dropped that bomb on us,” outfielder Torii Hunter said. “I just had a feeling that it could have been his last year. All year, he was kind of emotional, and I just felt it.”
When Leyland arrived at the Tigers’ spring training camp this year, it marked 50 seasons since he first showed up there as an 18-year-old prospect.
He is 1,769-1,728 overall during stints with the Tigers, Pirates, Marlins and Rockies.