FOX's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Tigers' skipper of the last eight years is retiring:
Sources: Leyland stepping down as #Tigers manager. Told team after end of ALCS. Team has called news conference for 11:30 AM ET.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 21, 2013
Told that Leyland informed #Tigers players after end of ALCS that it was time for someone younger to do the job. He is 68.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 21, 2013
I honestly can't say I'm surprised. Leyland, 68, is the biggest "whipping boy" not named Don Kelly for the most vocal of the fanbase and anytime the Tigers lost it was somehow Leyland's fault. More so than is normal for a coach of a winning team, it seemed.
I don't blame the old and emotional Leyland one bit for hanging up the spikes and riding off into Sunny Acres. He did everything he possibly could have with the Tigers in his eight seasons. Leyland managed the team to three straight Central Division championships, two pennants and a 700-579 (.540) overall record. It's too bad the players didn't translate all the opportunities into the Tigers' first World Series title since 1984 and another ring for Leyland, who won it all with the Marlins in 1997. Disappointing.
Now… who's the young blood that's going to get thrown to these Tigers?
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Credit where credit is due: Going off timelines, Tom Mazawey of @DSports1051 had Leyland news before I did.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 21, 2013
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