Jim Leyland
From BR Bullpen
James Richard Leyland
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5'11", Weight 170 lb.
- Born December 15, 1944 in Toledo, OH USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Jim Leyland has been a major league catcher, a major league coach, and a major league manager whose teams won several division titles as well as the 1997 World Series and the 2006 American League pennant. As of July 25, 2009, his 2009 Tigers are first in their division.
Leyland was signed by the Detroit Tigers in September, 1963. He played in the minors from 1964 to 1969 in the Tigers chain, primarily as a catcher. Another future major league manager, Gene Lamont, was also a catcher in the Tigers organization and was on Leyland's team in 1966.
He was a coach for the Montgomery Rebels in 1970 and the Rocky Mount Leafs for the first part of 1971, before becoming a manager from 1971 to 1981.
He was a Chicago White Sox coach from 1982 to 1985 before taking over as the Pittsburgh Pirates manager in 1986. He led the team for eleven seasons and won three division titles.
He spent 1997 and 1998 as manager of the Florida Marlins, where he won the 1997 World Series.
After managing the Colorado Rockies in 1999, he spent six seasons as a St. Louis Cardinals scout.
Leyland was hired to be the 36th manager of the Detroit Tigers on October 4, 2005.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time Manager of the Year Award (1990/NL, 1992/NL & 2006/AL)
- Division Titles: 3 (1990-1992)
- Other post-season appearances: 2 (1997 & 2006 Wild Card)
- NL Pennants: 1 (1997)
- AL Pennants: 1 (2006)
- Managed one World Series Champion with the Florida Marlins in 1997
| Preceded by Chuck Tanner | Pittsburgh Pirates Manager 1986-1996 | Succeeded by Gene Lamont |
| Preceded by John Boles | Florida Marlins Manager 1997-1998 | Succeeded by John Boles |
| Preceded by Don Baylor | Colorado Rockies Manager 1999 | Succeeded by Buddy Bell |
| Preceded by Alan Trammell | Detroit Tigers Manager 2006- | Succeeded by Current |
