Leyland Will Return for Eighth Season as Detroit’s Manager
DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has extended the contract of Jim Leyland through the 2013 season.
The 2013 season will mark Leyland’s 22nd season as a manager at the major league level, his eighth as the manager of the Tigers. He has compiled a 1,676-1,659 record during his managerial career. Leyland’s 1,676 wins are tops among all active major league managers and 15th-most all-time in major league history.
“Jim is as fine a manager as there is in baseball, he has done a fantastic job for the organization and we are thrilled to have him back managing the Tigers in 2013,” Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Jim and his ability to lead our club on the field. I am confident that you will not find a harder working or better prepared manager in the game.”
Leyland, 67, has guided the Tigers to a 607-528 record during his seven seasons as the club’s manager. He is one of only three managers in Tigers history to register at least 600 victories with the club. Sparky Anderson (1,331 wins) and Hughie Jennings (1,131 wins) are the two other managers in Tigers history with at least 600 wins with the club.
“Detroit is a tremendous baseball town and I couldn’t dream of a better place to manage,” Leyland said. “The support of Mr. Ilitch and Dave is second to none and gives this club an opportunity to win every year. Tigers fans and the people of Michigan have supported us so well during my time here, I can’t even begin to express how much that means to me.”
The Tigers have advanced to the post-season three times during Leyland’s managerial career with the club, including winning the American League Central Division in each of the last two seasons. Leyland joins Jennings as the only two managers in Tigers history to lead the club to post-season play in three seasons.
Detroit advanced to the World Series this season for the second time during Leyland’s managerial tenure. He is the third manager in franchise history to guide a Tigers club to the World Series multiple times, joining Jennings and Mickey Cochrane. Jennings led Detroit to three straight World Series (1907-09), while Cochrane led the Tigers to the World Series in back-to-back seasons (1934-35).
Additionally, the Tigers have invited all six members of Leyland’s coaching staff to return for the 2013 season. Toby Harrah has also been invited back to serve as the club’s assistant hitting coach, a role he performed over the last half of the 2012 season.
A good move. You don't fire a manager who took a mediocre team to the WS. If they get off to a slow start next year, however, he may receive his walking papers. Unlike some others on this blog, I do not believe the problem is Leyland.
ReplyDeleteThis was not a mediocre team. They just have been performing in a mediocre fashion.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with Tom. For the most part, the Tigers were a mediocre team. Yes, they should be an offensive juggernaut, but their defense is non-existence. The Tiger infield could put most bar bouncers to shame, size-wise. For most of the year, the corner outfielders made me look good. The year turned with the Marlin trade as their pitching improved as did second base.
ReplyDeleteThye worst part of this signing is Gene Lamont is back.
ReplyDeleteCertaily have mixed emotions about Jim, but he did succeed.