Jim Leyland expressed his desire to keep his speech short and sweet.
Having already delivered a major address two weeks prior in Cooperstown, N.Y., during his Baseball Hall of Fame induction, he wanted to shift the focus to the fans.
“How can I not love you after all you’ve done for me?” Leyland remarked. “One thing that I want you to know from the heart: I never took you for granted, and I will never forget you.”
On Saturday, the Detroit Tigers retired Leyland’s No. 10, honoring him alongside Sparky Anderson as one of the franchise’s legendary managers.
Fans, many wearing Leyland-themed novelty glasses and mustaches, showed their appreciation in return.
After his speech, Leyland told reporters, “I meant it. I got emotional when writing the part about the fans. Because where would we be without them?”
Leyland described the past few weeks as emotional and draining, between preparing for Cooperstown, the induction ceremonies, and Saturday’s events in Detroit. “Today was tougher to control my emotions than Cooperstown because it’s family,” he said.
Leyland was also moved by the support from the Tigers’ players and coaches, who were watching and cheering. After the ceremony, he went straight to the Tigers’ dugout to hug manager A.J. Hinch.
“I wanted to thank A.J. and his players and coaches for letting me be a small part of what’s happening,” Leyland said. “This is no longer my show. I’m in the background where I want to be, but it meant a lot that they came out.”
He added a final message to the team: “I also told them, ‘How about going out and winning the goddamn game.’”
A native of Perrysburg, Ohio, Leyland managed the Tigers from 2006 to 2013, making the playoffs four times and reaching the World Series in 2006 and 2012. He fondly remembers that era as a time when the team captured the city’s heart.
“Everywhere you went, people wore Tigers gear. I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “We drew three million people three times. That’s pretty good.
“I worked in a factory. My dad worked in a factory. I appreciate people who work all day, come home, eat supper, get the kids ready, go to the ballgame, and spend their hard-earned money with you. Maybe they don’t realize it, but I appreciate stuff like that. I was one of those guys.”
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