History of Jim Leyland in Timeline
"Jim Leyland is a well-known figure in American baseball, with a career spanning multiple decades as a player, coach, and manager. He is best known for his successful managerial stint with the Detroit Tigers, a role he held for several years. Currently, he remains involved with the organization as a special assistant, contributing his experience and expertise to the team."
December 15, 1944: Jim Leyland Born
James Richard Leyland was born on December 15, 1944.
1962: Jim Leyland Graduates High School
Jim Leyland graduated from Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio in 1962.
September 21, 1963: Jim Leyland Signs with Detroit Tigers
Jim Leyland signed with the Detroit Tigers as a catcher on September 21, 1963.
1964: Jim Leyland Begins Minor League Career
Jim Leyland began his minor league career with the Detroit Tigers organization in 1964.
1967: Last Triple Crown Winner Until 2012
Miguel Cabrera, managed by Jim Leyland, became the first Triple Crown winner in Major League Baseball since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
1970: Jim Leyland Plays for Montgomery Rebels
Jim Leyland mainly served as a coach but played in two games for the Montgomery Rebels in 1970.
1972: Jim Leyland Begins Managing Career
Jim Leyland started his managing career in 1972 with the Clinton Pilots, a minor league team in the Tigers organization.
1979: Evansville Triplets Win Division Title
Jim Leyland managed the Evansville Triplets to a division title in 1979.
1981: Evansville Triplets Win Division Title
Jim Leyland managed the Evansville Triplets to another division title in 1981.
1982: Jim Leyland Joins Chicago White Sox Coaching Staff
Jim Leyland joined the Chicago White Sox as Tony La Russa's third base coach in 1982.
1983: Chicago White Sox Win AL West Division Title
In 1983, The Chicago White Sox, with Jim Leyland as third base coach, won the American League West division title.
November 20, 1985: Jim Leyland Named Manager of Pittsburgh Pirates
On November 20, 1985, Jim Leyland was appointed as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1986: Jim Leyland Begins Tenure with Pittsburgh Pirates
Jim Leyland's time as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates started in 1986.
1987: Detroit Tigers Best Season Since 1987
In 2006, the Detroit Tigers had their best season since 1987 under the leadership of manager Jim Leyland.
1988: Jim Leyland Runner-Up for Manager of the Year
Jim Leyland was runner-up for the Manager of the Year Award in 1988 while managing the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1990: Jim Leyland Wins National League Manager of the Year
Jim Leyland won the National League Manager of the Year Award in 1990 while managing the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1990: Pittsburgh Pirates Win Division Title
The Pittsburgh Pirates, under manager Jim Leyland, won the National League Eastern Division title in 1990.
1991: Pittsburgh Pirates Win Division Title
The Pittsburgh Pirates, under manager Jim Leyland, won the National League Eastern Division title in 1991.
1992: Jim Leyland Wins National League Manager of the Year
Jim Leyland won the National League Manager of the Year Award in 1992 while managing the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1992: Pittsburgh Pirates Win Division Title
The Pittsburgh Pirates, under manager Jim Leyland, won the National League Eastern Division title in 1992.
1996: Jim Leyland's Tenure with Pittsburgh Pirates Ends
Jim Leyland's time as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates ended in 1996.
1997: Florida Marlins World Series Champions
In 1997, Jim Leyland led the Florida Marlins to their first World Series championship, defeating the Cleveland Indians.
1997: Jim Leyland Joins Florida Marlins
Jim Leyland was hired to manage the Florida Marlins in 1997.
1998: Jim Leyland Resigns from Florida Marlins
Jim Leyland resigned from his position as manager of the Florida Marlins after the 1998 season, in which the team went 54-108.
1999: Jim Leyland Manages Colorado Rockies
Jim Leyland was hired by the Colorado Rockies for the 1999 season, but ultimately regretted the decision due to his struggles managing with Coors Field.
2000: Jim Leyland Quits Pittsburgh Pirates
Despite having a contract that ran to 2000, Jim Leyland decided to quit as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, expressing his desire to manage a contending team.
2001: Arizona Diamondbacks Win World Series
The Arizona Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001, becoming the fastest expansion franchise to do so at the time.
2006: Detroit Tigers Win American League Pennant
In 2006, Jim Leyland guided the Detroit Tigers to their best season since 1987 and led them to the World Series, where they were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals.
2006: Jim Leyland Wins American League Manager of the Year
Jim Leyland won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 2006 while managing the Detroit Tigers.
2008: Detroit Tigers Finish Last in AL Central
The Detroit Tigers, managed by Jim Leyland, finished last in the American League Central in 2008.
2010: Leyland's Son Drafted by the Detroit Tigers
Jim Leyland's son, Pat, who played as a catcher and first baseman, was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2010.
April 15, 2011: Jim Leyland Achieves 1,500 Wins
On April 15, 2011, Jim Leyland secured his 1,500th win as a manager with a win over the Oakland Athletics.
May 1, 2012: Jim Leyland's 1,600th Managerial Win
Jim Leyland achieved his 1,600th victory as a manager in Major League Baseball on May 1, 2012, surpassing Tommy Lasorda on the all-time wins list.
2012: Detroit Tigers Swept in World Series
The Detroit Tigers, led by Jim Leyland, were swept by the San Francisco Giants in the 2012 World Series.
September 25, 2013: Leyland's 700th Win and Tigers' Third Consecutive AL Central Title
On September 25, 2013, Jim Leyland achieved his 700th managerial win with the Detroit Tigers, securing a 1-0 victory against the Minnesota Twins. This win also marked the Tigers' third consecutive American League Central Division title.
2015: Pat Leyland's Baseball Career Continues Through 2015
Pat Leyland, Jim Leyland's son, played in the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles organizations until 2015.
April 15, 2016: Leyland Named Manager of Team USA for 2017 World Baseball Classic
Jim Leyland was appointed as the manager for Team USA at the 2017 World Baseball Classic on April 15, 2016.
May 30, 2017: Leyland Announced as Inductee into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Jim Leyland's induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame was announced on May 30, 2017.
2017: Leyland Leads Team USA to Victory in World Baseball Classic
In 2017, Jim Leyland managed the United States team to victory in the World Baseball Classic, making him the only manager to have won both a World Series and a WBC title.
2017: United States Wins World Baseball Classic
Jim Leyland managed the United States national team to its first gold medal in the World Baseball Classic in 2017.
December 3, 2023: Jim Leyland Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
On December 3, 2023, Jim Leyland was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
May 2024: Leyland Inducted into Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame
In May 2024, Jim Leyland was selected for induction into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame.
