DETROIT — Jim Leyland is one of the preeminent symbols of the last great era of Detroit Tigers baseball, and it was Aug. 3 when the manager’s number was officially retired at Comerica Park. The gathering and corresponding festivities commemorated all Leyland accomplished in eight seasons as Tigers manager.
That day also served as an ode to a different time: Meaningful games in September, packed houses at Comerica, yearly expectations of playing in October. Advertisement Soon after the ceremony honoring Leyland on the field ended, the old chain-smoking skipper approached the Tigers dugout. He leaned over the railing and told members of the current team: “Go get a f—ing win.
” Then he was up in the press box. Dark blue polo shirt, speaking in front of a dark blue backdrop. Leyland remains a special assistant to the team, but never in his five-plus decades in baseball has he been accused of being one to sugarcoat.
“I’m a little concerned because they’re struggling right this moment,” Leyland said, “and probably not gonna get in. “But I think this team, I think they’re gonna get healthy and they’re gonna have a great September. It’s probably gonna be a little late, but I believe that.
I don’t talk about this much, because I don’t want to preach patience any more to the fans, and I’m sick of hearing the word ‘patience’ in a lot of different areas, and I understand the fans are, too. “But one thing I will tell you: If you trust my judgment as .
