Tigers give Leyland 2-year extension
June 19, 2009
DETROIT (AP)—Jim Leyland will be sticking in the Detroit dugout for awhile.
The Tigers gave their manager a two-year contract extension Friday throughthe 2011 season. Financial terms were not announced.
“It’s extremely well deserved,” Tigers president and general manager DaveDombrowski said. He said he looks forward to Leyland leading Detroit “for yearsto come.”
The 64-year-old Leyland is in his fourth season with the Tigers, and thiswas the last year on his deal. Detroit is leading the AL Central.
“I’m thrilled they want me to continue,” he said. “I was thrilled theyasked me to come here in the first place.”
The Tigers went a disappointing 74-88 last year, and Leyland wasn’t offeredan extension after the season.
On Friday, Leyland was stretched on a couch that folds out into a bed in hisoffice at Comerica Park, smoking a cigarette and having a cup of coffee, when hegot the good news.
“I was totally shocked,” he said.
Leyland spent the night in his office after the Tigers got in late Thursdaynight from a three-game series at St. Louis. He lives in a Detroit hotel duringthe season.
Dombrowski usually travels with the team, but hasn’t been on the last threetrips because he was watching the Tigers’ minor leaguers. He came down toLeyland’s office in the morning and, after they discussed a few things, offeredLeyland the extension.
“I just think it was the right time to step forward and get this done,”Dombrowski said.
Leyland has a 292-260 record with the Tigers going into Friday night’s gameagainst Milwaukee. He guided Detroit to a surprising AL pennant in 2006 and wasvoted AL Manager of the Year.
Leyland managed 14 years in the majors before coming to Detroit. He led thePittsburgh Pirates from 1986-96, the Florida Marlins in 1997-98 (winning theWorld Series in ’97) and the Colorado Rockies in 1999.
He was the NL Manager of the Year in 1990 and 1992.
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