Detroit Tigers: Jim Leyland is Still Relevant

In exciting news, Detroit Tigers former manager Jim Leyland was awarded the manager position of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in 2017 proving that he is still relevant in the world of baseball.

Jul 30, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (right) talks to former manager Jim Leyland during batting practice before the game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

This is a big honor for Leyland who has never managed outside of the MLB. During his long career in the MLB, he managed four teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and the Detroit Tigers. With the Pirates, he was named the NL Manager of the Year twice and he was named the AL Manager of the Year in 2006 when he took over the Tigers. He has one World Series championship with the Marlins, but he could not get the job done with the Tigers.

Leyland is bringing the crew back together for this managing gig. He’s bringing in Jeff Jones, Lloyd McClendon, and Alan Trammell as well as Willie Randolph and Marcel Lachemann. The roster will be announced soon.

Fans can expect to see some recognizable names on the rosters. The last time Team USA played in the World Baseball Classic some now recognizable names were on the roster. In the last tournament played in 2013, some of the players on the USA roster included David Wright, Joe Mauer, Giancarlo Stanton, and Eric Hosmer. The Venezuelan team included Miguel Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval, and Asdrubal Cabrera. The Dominican Republic won in 2013 with players like Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, and Hanley Ramirez.

Apr 12, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) and first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) receive their Silver Slugger awards before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

With the signing of Leyland to this illustrious position, he proves that he is still a vital part of baseball. He was a good manager who knew how to handle his teams, but in his final season with Detroit, many fans were calling for his head. It is interesting how easy it is to forget how many wanted him out of the spot and how many still wish he did not have his fingers in the current team’s operations. But, with his career record of 1,769 wins, he sits in the 15th spot of all-time wins in the MLB showing that he does know a thing or two about baseball.