Pittsburgh Review

Jim Leyland will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday in Cooperstown, New York, alongside Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, and Joe Mauer. The former manager, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to three consecutive National League East titles from 1990-92, was selected for enshrinement by the Contemporary Era Committee in December.

Leyland was the third-base coach of the Chicago White Sox when Pirates general manager Syd Thrift hired him to replace Chuck Tanner before the 1986 season. In 22 years managing the Pirates (1986-96), Florida Marlins (1997-98), Colorado Rockies (1999), and Detroit Tigers (2006-13), Leyland compiled a 1,769-1,728 record (.506 winning percentage). He took three teams to the playoffs, won a World Series with the Marlins in 1997, and secured American League pennants with Detroit in 2006 and 2012. He was voted Manager of the Year three times, including twice with Pittsburgh (1990 and '92).

Leyland regularly shares that the Pirates will always hold a special place in his heart because they gave him his first opportunity to manage a major league team. In a recent Q&A session, he shared memories from his journey that led to Cooperstown.

During your time with the Pirates, you made it known that you felt strategy was overrated and that managing wasn’t about trying to outsmart the guy in the other dugout. Do you still feel that way?

Leyland: "I do. Don’t get me wrong; strategy is important. But as a manager, you have options; you make decisions and they either work out or they don’t. Managers make a lot of decisions that don’t work out but they pick the option they think gives their team the best chance to win."

"But I think the biggest thing is how you deal with players. I always wanted the clubhouse to be a fun place to come and a great place to work. I wanted to get the temperature of the clubhouse just right. Getting that temperature just right and getting everyone with one heartbeat—that’s what you strive to do as a manager."

With so many games in a baseball season, it’s often said you shouldn’t get too high or too low. But you were always a “wear your heart on your sleeve” kind of manager. How were you able to make that work over so many years?

Leyland: "Well, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with showing emotion. I don’t believe it when you see managers sitting in the dugout totally calm with no expression. When the other team has bases loaded in ninth inning and your team has one-run lead no one is going make me believe their heart's not pounding."

"On surface may be cool calm collected opposed guy antsy pacing little bit tip hat don't believe heart racing situation if tried would been something wasn't wouldn't been me into emotionally worked for me."

You managed for 11 seasons in Detroit Tigers’ farm system before Tony La Russa hired you for his coaching staff at Chicago White Sox in 1982. How did long apprenticeship help when became Major League manager?

Leyland: "I wasn’t Major League player well known wasn’t going get opportunity real quick going start from scratch use all ingredients get cake baked."

"I managed for eleven years Minor Leagues rookie ball Class-A Double-A Triple-A best thing ever happened really helped lot things came later big leagues didn’t surprise seen somewhere Minor League game whether Clinton Iowa Lakeland Fla Montgomery Ala saw whole scenario Minors."

What do remember most beginning stint Minor League manager Bristol Tigers Rookie-level Appalachian League 1971?

Leyland: "Wet behind ears just guy Tigers thought might become decent manager gave chance knows ready remember second game ever managed playing Wytheville Va fifth inning pitcher’s control started leave watching pitcher arm dropping down little bit getting little wild signs pitcher kind losing it."

"Had old roving pitching instructor sitting next inning second game ever managed wishy-washy situation looked pitching instructor said 'Do think ought take him out?' stood up looked eye said 'You’re manager.' walked down other end dugout."

"Also one best things ever happened because thirty-three seasons made all decisions as manager weren’t all right lot them wrong made decisions moment taught can have scouting reports advice general manager advice coaches but guy pull trigger make decisions live something learned second game ever managed professional baseball."

When became manager Pirates 1986 inherited team lost hundred-four games previous season second Pittsburgh squad came within two games .500 mark nineteen eighty-eight two years later guided team three straight National League East titles surprised Pirates able become good quickly under direction?

Leyland: "Pirates weren’t good went there nineteen eighty-six no question however Johnny Ray Tony Peña Rick Rhoden Rick Reuschel Donnie Robinson had trade chips Syd Thrift did absolutely wonderful job making trades bringing back talented players Doug Drabek Andy Van Slyke Jim Gott others Tony Peña terrific player maybe popular Pirate time traded St Louis April first nineteen eighty-seven Van Slyke Mike LaValliere Mike Dunne one best things happened organization days helped get us way three straight playoff appearances."

"Then Opening Day nineteen ninety played Mets New York beat twelve-three knew real deal finally caught up knew didn’t mean going beat knew good fondest memories kind broke ice Mets big boys block then clinching first division title St Louis year greatest memories entire career right up any them."