The Detroit Tigers retired Jim Leyland’s No. 10, honoring the Hall of Fame manager by placing his name and number in white on a brick wall beside World Series champion Sparky Anderson.
“It’s hard to believe when I see my name with the Tiger greats on that wall,” Leyland said Saturday night during a pregame ceremony before Detroit faced the Kansas City Royals.
Leyland made his way to the field in a white Corvette, waving to fans as he traveled from the right-field foul pole to the Tigers’ dugout along the third base line.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame last December just before his 79th birthday, Leyland became the 23rd manager to receive this honor last month.
Over 22 seasons, Leyland secured 1,769 regular-season wins, including a 700-597 record with the Tigers from 2006-2013. He led Detroit to the World Series in his first year as manager in 2006 and again in 2012, when the team clinched its second of four consecutive AL Central titles. His managerial career began in 1971 with the Bristol Tigers of the Appalachian League.
“Jim Leyland came to the Tigers at the perfect time,” said Todd Jones, the Tigers’ career saves leader and Leyland’s closer in 2006. “The city was on the rise, both culturally and economically, and the team reflected that with investments in players like Pudge Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez, followed by the hiring of Leyland, who brought it all together for a group of guys who hadn’t won much before.” Jones added, “He was the calming presence we needed in the locker room at that time.”
However, early in the 2006 season, Leyland felt the team needed a wake-up call. After a disappointing home loss, he delivered an intense tirade, loud enough for reporters outside the clubhouse to hear, warning players against disrespecting coaches and reminding them that despite their fame and fortune, he controlled the lineup.
A three-time Manager of the Year, Leyland also managed Pittsburgh, Florida, and Colorado, guiding the Marlins to a World Series victory in 1997. He led the U.S. team to its only World Baseball Classic title in 2017.
The Tigers have previously retired the numbers of Lou Whitaker (No. 1), Charley Gehringer (No. 2), Alan Trammell (No. 3), Hank Greenberg (No. 5), Al Kaline (No. 6), Anderson (No. 11), Hal Newhouser (No. 16), Willie Horton (No. 23), and Jack Morris (No. 47). Jackie Robinson’s No. 42, retired across all of MLB in 1997, is displayed alongside Anderson’s and Leyland’s numbers at Comerica Park.
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