Jim Leyland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jim Leyland
Leyland with the Detroit Tigers in 2013
Manager
Born: (1944-12-15) December 15, 1944 (age 80) Perrysburg, Ohio, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB statistics
Games managed	3,499
Managerial record	1,769–1,728
Winning %	.506
Teams
As manager Pittsburgh Pirates (1986–1996) Florida Marlins (1997–1998) Colorado Rockies (1999) Detroit Tigers (2006–2013) As coach Chicago White Sox (1982–1985)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (1997) 3× Manager of the Year (1990, 1992, 2006) Detroit Tigers No. 10 retired Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame Marlins Legends Hall of Fame
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	2024
Vote	93.8%
Election Method	Contemporary Baseball Era Committee
Medals Men's baseball Manager for USA World Baseball Classic Gold 2017 Los Angeles Team

Jim Leyland (born December 15, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He is currently a special assistant for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Leyland led the Florida Marlins to win the 1997 World Series championship. He also won three division titles in a row with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1990 to 1992. He is one of only eleven managers to lead three different teams to the postseason. When the Tigers won in 2006, Leyland became the seventh manager to win pennants in both the National and American Leagues.

Jim Leyland has won the Manager of the Year Award three times. He won it twice in the National League (1990 and 1992) and once in the American League (2006). He also managed the U.S. national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He led the team to its first gold medal. In December 2023, Leyland was chosen for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Jim Leyland was born on December 15, 1944, in Perrysburg, Ohio. His father worked in a glass factory. His mother stayed home to care for their seven children. Jim's first baseball team was part of a Knights of Columbus league. He graduated from Perrysburg High School in 1962. He was a great baseball player there.

Playing and Coaching Career

Starting as a Player

Leyland began his baseball journey with the Detroit Tigers. They signed him as a catcher in September 1963. He played for seven seasons in the Tigers' minor league system (1964–1970). In 1970, he mostly coached for the Montgomery Rebels. He only played in two games for them that year. Leyland's batting average in the minor leagues was .222.

Becoming a Coach

In 1982, Leyland left the Tigers organization. He became the third base coach for the Chicago White Sox. He worked there for four seasons (1982–1985). This included the 1983 season when the White Sox won their division.

Managing Baseball Teams

Minor League Manager

In 1972, Leyland became a manager in the Tigers' minor league system. He started with the Clinton Pilots in the Midwest League. From 1979 to 1981, he managed the Evansville Triplets. He led them to win two division titles.

Managing the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986–1996)

On November 20, 1985, Leyland became the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He managed the team from 1986 to 1996. He won the Manager of the Year Award twice, in 1990 and 1992. He also finished as a runner-up for the award in 1988 and 1991.

Leyland helped many players become All-Stars. These included Barry Bonds, Jay Bell, Tim Wakefield, Andy Van Slyke, and Bobby Bonilla. Under Leyland, the Pirates won the National League Eastern Division title three years in a row. They went to the National League Championship Series in 1990, 1991, and 1992. The Pirates won an average of 96 games each of those three years. However, they lost all three times in the NLCS. The last two series went to the full seven games against the Atlanta Braves.

Leyland left the Pirates after 11 seasons. He wanted to manage a team that could win a championship. He was not happy with the team's owner, Kevin McClatchy, because of player trades and salary cuts.

Managing the Florida Marlins (1997–1998)

In 1997, Wayne Huizenga hired Leyland to manage the Florida Marlins. Leyland quickly led them to their first World Series championship that year. They beat the Cleveland Indians four games to three. The Marlins were only in their fifth year as a team. This made them the fastest expansion team to win a World Series.

After the World Series win, the team's owner sold many of the star players. Leyland stayed as manager for the 1998 season. However, the Marlins had a very tough year, winning only 54 games and losing 108. Leyland resigned after that season.

Managing the Colorado Rockies (1999)

Leyland then became the manager for the Colorado Rockies for the 1999 season. On April 15, he earned his 1,000th win as a manager. The Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 6–4. Leyland later said he regretted managing in Colorado. He felt he couldn't manage pitching well at Coors Field. He left after one season, even though he had two years left on his contract. After this, he became a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Managing the Detroit Tigers (2006–2013)

Leyland in 2010

After Alan Trammell left, Leyland was hired as the new Tigers manager. This was a return to the team where he started his professional baseball career. It was also the first time Leyland managed a team in the American League.

In 2006, Leyland led the Tigers to a 95–67 record. This was the Tigers' best season since 1987. The Tigers made it to the playoffs as a wild card team. They beat the New York Yankees and swept the Oakland Athletics. This won them the American League pennant. They then lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2006 World Series. By leading the Tigers to the AL pennant, Leyland became the seventh manager to win pennants in both major leagues. After the 2006 season, Leyland won the Major League Baseball Manager of the Year Award for the third time.

The Tigers had high hopes after 2006. However, they struggled for the next four seasons. Leyland reached 1,500 wins on April 15, 2011. This made him the 19th manager to do so. That year, he led the Tigers to another 95–67 record. They won the American League Central Division. They beat the New York Yankees in the playoffs. However, they lost to the Texas Rangers in the next round.

Leyland in 2011

On May 1, 2012, Leyland earned his 1,600th victory. He passed Tommy Lasorda on the all-time wins list. In 2012, Leyland led the Tigers to an 88–74 record. They won the American League Central Division again. On that team, Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera won the American League Triple Crown. This was the first Triple Crown winner in Major League Baseball since 1967.

In the 2012 postseason, Detroit beat the Athletics. They returned to the World Series after sweeping the New York Yankees. However, Detroit was swept by the San Francisco Giants in the 2012 World Series.

On September 25, 2013, Leyland won his 700th game with the Tigers. The Tigers won 1–0 against the Minnesota Twins. This win helped the Tigers win their third straight American League Central Division title. Leyland joined his former coach Tony La Russa as the only managers to lead two different MLB teams to three straight division titles. He retired from managing after the 2013 season. He stayed with the Tigers as a special assistant. Brad Ausmus replaced him as manager.

Managing Team USA

On April 15, 2016, Leyland was named the manager of Team USA. They played in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The United States won the tournament under his leadership. This made Leyland the only manager to win both a World Series and a World Baseball Classic title.

Honors and Achievements

Jim Leyland's number 10 was retired by the Detroit Tigers in 2024.

On May 30, 2017, Leyland was announced as one of eight new members for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on September 15, 2017.

On December 3, 2023, Leyland was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. He was officially honored on July 21, 2024. He was also chosen for the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame in May 2024.

The Detroit Tigers retired Leyland's number 10 jersey on August 3, 2024. This means no other Tigers player will wear that number.

Managerial Record

Personal Life

Leyland lives in Thornburg, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He raised two children, Patrick and Kellie, with his wife Katie. His son, Pat, played baseball as a catcher and first baseman. He was drafted by the Tigers in 2010. He also played for the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles until 2015.

Leyland is a practicing Catholic. His brother, Tom Leyland, was a priest for 55 years until he passed away in 2020. Two of his aunts were Ursuline nuns.

See Also

• List of Major League Baseball managerial wins and winning percentage leaders
• List of Major League Baseball managers with most career ejections