Monday, October 21, 2013

Happy retirement, Jim Leyland

I should hate Jim Leyland. His teams killed us, killed us again, and then last year... killed us again. We never got him back. We owe the guy a beatdown, and now it's never going to happen. He announced today that he is retiring. Good grief, he's 68.

Frankly, I'll miss the guy. For all the times that his Tigers cuffed the Yankees around like a sock in a drier, he was always a respectful and good-hearted presence, smoking his butts in the runway. It was Leyland who once called us, "Murderer's Row and then Cano," a great line, even though we didn't live up to it.

But most of all, I will remember Jim Leyland for the way he orchestrated Mariano Rivera's last appearance in an all-star game. He brought out Mo in the 8th inning - so there could be no doubt that he would get into the game. In the ninth, when Mariano came out, Leyland kept the rest of the players back in the dugout. Thus, the crowd and the nation could honor the Great Mariano in one iconic moment.

It wouldn't bother me one bit if the Yankees hired this guy as a scout or part-time consultant. Can you imagine the expertise he could bring to our organization?

3 comments:

KD said...

He is a fine gentleman but glad he's gone. Now maybe we can get by the Tigers.

JM said...

And remember kids, don't smoke like Mr. Leyland. It's a dirty, terrible habit that will kill you and every living thing around you along with a few undead things if you happen to be on The Walking Dead.

It's no joke...please don't smoke.

Anyone got a light?

Chicken Stanley said...

Heard him on Mike & Mike this morning say he's going to stay on with the Tigers in a pseudo-special advisor role. Some light scouting and wooing corporate sponsors and stuff. Would be great if we could grab him up but he said he wants to be a Tiger for life and you have to respect that I guess. He always seems like a cool ass dude.