“One year contract fair to everybody”, says Jim Leyland – MLB News
As soon as the season ended, people started asking how long Jim Leyland plans to stay in Detroit. Leyland said when the time comes he will let everyone. During the annual Winter Meetings in Nashville, he was asked the same question again.
Not surprisingly, he did not answer the question. Perhaps, that is the reason why is happy to work on a one year contract with the Detroit Tigers. However, Leyland admitted that the one year contract does have its disadvantages. If the Tigers fails to live
up to the expectations in the next season, he is likely to be a goner.
"I'm not putting any timetable on it," he said. "We've got a good situation. I took a pretty good beating this summer (from the fans) and rightfully so. I think the one-year deal is fair to everybody. They can make a decision whether they want to bring me
back. And if at the end, I'm tired of it, I can say so long. I don't owe them everything, and they don't owe me anything."
The 67 year old Leyland is expected to call it a career whenever he leaves Detroit. However, owner Mike Ilitch would love to have him as his Team’s Manager until the Tigers lift the World Series title.
If Leyland departs, bench coach Gene Lamont could get the opportunity to manage the team. Both Leyland and Lamont started their Major League Baseball careers together. Lamont was the No.1 pick in 1965. Leyland, on the other hand, signed with them after posting
impressive numbers in the high school league in 1963.
Leyland and Lamont played for the Tigers as catchers and they have a very similar coaching style. It was Leyland’s dream to manage the Tigers. He worked under Tony La Russa to manage the Chicago White Sox in 1970’s and 1980’s.
"It's a great place for us," Leyland said. "It was kind of like coming home, and really enjoy it."
His dreams finally came true in 2006 when he was offered the managing role in Detroit. In seven seasons, he has taken the club to new heights. It will be interesting to see if he can help the Tigers end their 24 season World Series drought.
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