Last Word on Sports would like to thank Travis Hicks for this guest article on departing Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

“Who Cares?”

That’s what I said when I found out that Jim Leyland would be replacing 1984 World Series alum Alan Trammell as manager of the Detroit Tigers. Afterall, my fire was pretty much extinguished at this point. Sure I was a life long Tigers fan. I was there for the Roar of 84 and the Sparky Anderson era. But when it came to baseball in 2005, honestly I barely cared anymore. The Olde English D on my hat was more of homage to the past than dedication to the present. Maybe it was the baseball strike of 94, maybe it was the fact that the hated Yankees were once again a dynasty. Or more likely it was the fact that my beloved team hadn’t been a contender since 1988, including posting embarrassing back-to-back 100 loss seasons (dropping 119 games in 2003) under the watchful eye of Mr. Trammell and setting a American League record, only the second worst record in Major League history held by the 1962 New York Mets. Quite elite company we keep. Clearly when the managerial change was made, my enthusiasm was nearly flatlined. Who cares? Not I.

But then 2006 happened. Something we hadn’t seen in a long time was happening: the Tigers were winning. Not just winning, they were dominating. At one point they were 40 games over .500, they were exciting crowds, they were bringing people back, and miracle of miracles, they made it to the World Series. Who Cares? I did again. And the man most responsible for that is the man who is saying goodbye to the Detroit Tigers today, Jim Leyland.

Jim Leyland was no stranger to the Tigers organization when he took the job in 2005. He was originally signed by Detroit in 1963 as a catcher and spent seven seasons as a player in the Tigers Minor League system and another 12 years as a coach. Leyland left the organization in 1982 to become 3rd base coach for Tony LaRusa’s Chicago White Sox. In 1985, Leyland got his first taste as a skipper taking over the Pittsburgh Pirates, leading them to the post season in three straight seasons while racking up two National League manager of the year awards. Leyland would move on to manage the Florida Marlins in what could be described as a short, tumultuous tenure, bringing the team its first World Series Championship after only four years of the franchise being in existence, only to suffer through a devastating following season of 108 losses after some of his best talent had been sold off in a “fire sale” Leaving for one quick season as leader of the Colorado Rockies, it looked like Leyland had resigned an aspirations of being a manager again, settling into a scouting job with the Pirates.

In 2006, the magic that brought him instant success in Florida was now graced upon the Tigers. While they failed to capture the World Series title that year, they were contenders again. The Tigers would not make the postseason again until 2011 but in that time a juggernaut was built Stars like Cabrera, Scherzer, Fielder, Hunter, Rodriguez and Verlander were made household names in Detroit and the fans came out again.. this time by the millions. The Tigers were once again the talk of the town. The Tigers would go on to win three straight American League Central Division titles. Not only was the roar back, but it was louder than ever.

Like with any winning team however, the fans began to get frustrated when you don’t bring home the big one. Sadly, Jim Leyland was unable to accomplish this feat with the Detroit Tigers. That’s why his retirement announcement today was bittersweet to me and a lot of fans. You have to question his ability to close the deal. Look at 2006. While a landmark season for Detroit, they fell apart toward the end including being swept by the lowly Kansas City Royals. They failed to get it done. In 2011, they got stomped out by the Rangers in the ALCS. While they swept the mighty Yankees out of the playoffs in 2012, they were humiliated by the San Francisco Giants in a four game sweep up in the World Series. And 2013? This should have been the year, on paper and all predictions had them as the best team in the majors. Not so. Once again, they fell apart at the end of September, barely got though the first round series against the Oakland A’s and were taken down by the surprise Boston Red Sox. What went wrong? A lot of things, but the responsibility ultimately falls on the man in charge: Jim Leyland. He said today in the press conference that the decision to retire had been made back in September. Was his mind and commitment already on the golf course by the time the playoffs rolled around? One has to wonder.

So when the announcement was made today and Leyland said it was time, I had to agree with him. Like I said, it’s bittersweet for me. Yes I think it is time for him to move on and enjoy whatever path he chooses next. The Tigers need a fresh perspective, someone who can finish what he started here. Basically he’s left the keys in the Ferrari, we just need someone who can drive it to victory lane.

On that note I say goodbye. Goodbye to the man who re-ignited my passion for baseball and who made me proud to be a Detroit Tiger fan again. A man who only had one losing season as a Tiger manager, something even the Legendary Sparky Anderson couldn’t claim. A man who got us to the dance on two occasions and made Tiger Baseball mean something again. I have to say my fondest memory of Jim Leyland would be in 2006, the night they would win the ALCS and go on to the World Series. Leyland shed his normally stoic demeanor and celebrated with the fans of Comerica Park, dousing them and himself with champagne, and with a huge smile on his face. Will he enter the Hall of Fame? Time will tell. One thing is for sure, he should be remembered as a legend in Detroit for what he’s done there. He wasn’t Sparky Anderson, but he was damn close. For that, I thank you Jim Leyland, you will be missed.

And thank you for making me care again.

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photo credit: Keith Allison via photopin cc