It’s time for a managerial trip to Cooperstown. This time, the inductee has emerged from the Detroit Tigers. It is the man who has had over 22 seasons of MLB experience across various teams. It was this long-time manager under whose watch the formerly known Florida Marlins clinched the trophy in the Fall Classic in 1997. 

He was the only elected individual among the eight nominees the 16-member Contemporary Baseball Era Committee considered. Having led Pittsburgh Pirates, Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and Tigers, this legend of an MLB manager was inducted on Sunday into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Much Deserved Hall of Fame Induction

As per a tweet by @jonmorosi the update is, “NEWS: Jim Leyland is elected to the Hall of Fame“. Jim Leyland comfortably surpassed the 12-vote threshold with 15 of 16 votes. Lou Piniella, who received 11 votes out of the other seven nominees, was the closest, marking Piniella’s second close call after he was eliminated from consideration in 2019 with one vote.

It is admirable that he signed a big-league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986, starting his, what would go on to be an illustrious career. He continued and won 1,769 games until the year 2013, when he retired. Leyland is currently ranked eighteenth on the list of all-time managerial victories.

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The legend shared some words about how he felt when he got the call. His words precisely summed up the emotions that one feels upon reaching the ultimate accolade that crowns all the years of hard work.

“I thought when I didn’t get [the call] by a quarter of seven, it wasn’t going to happen. So I went up just to rest a minute and get my thoughts together. When my son came up, the phone rang and it was the Hall of Fame. I couldn’t believe it. There was definitely a tear in my eye“, Leyland said.

A Deep Dive Into Jim Leyland’s Career

Following his time with the Marlins, Leyland spent a season as manager of the Colorado Rockies. He then proceeded to manage the Tigers for the final eight seasons of his career. Under his watch, Detroit made four postseason appearances and won two pennants, in 2006 and 2012. Leyland’s leadership led this victory. Also, he was no stranger to recognition during his heyday. Twice in the National League and once in the American League, he was named Manager of the Year.

Jim, whose nickname was ‘Hump’, could not be more proud of this esteemed selection. Overcome by a strong feeling of fulfilment, his words reflected that he achieved the pinnacle of his career, notwithstanding his senior age. He acknowledged that a trip to Cooperstown was really the highest one can go as far as baseball career was concerned. Hump summed up by saying, “I mean, that’s the ultimate“.

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