Tigers name Leyland, 'a very big day for our franchise'
By wire services
Published October 5, 2005
DETROIT - The Tigers hired Jim Leyland on Tuesday as their manager to replace the fired Alan Trammell.
Leyland, 60, started his baseball career as a catcher in the low minors for the Tigers. He guided the Florida Marlins to the 1997 World Series title, but has not managed since 1999 with Colorado.
"That passion that Jim Leyland has had throughout his career is back within him to manage," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "The decision to name one of the top managers in the game of baseball in recent time, to bring him back to this organization, is a very big day for our franchise."
Leyland was a two-time NL Manager of the Year with Pittsburgh, winning three division titles with teams that featured Barry Bonds.
While Leyland was out of the dugout, he enjoyed watching San Francisco's Felipe Alou and former Marlins manager Jack McKeon have success.
"It just goes to show they don't forget," Leyland has said.
INDIANS: The team, which has operated under a tight budget and has a poor record of re-signing its high-profile free agents, will offer a multiyear deal to right-hander Kevin Millwood. The AL's ERA champion is eligible for free agency after the World Series and says he wants at least a three-year deal. "We will make a very competitive offer," GM Mark Shapiro said. "We will step beyond our comfort zone."
RANGERS: John Hart stepped down as general manager, clearing the way for 28-year-old Jon Daniels to become the youngest GM in major-league history. Texas was 79-83, its third losing season in four years under Hart and fifth since winning their last AL West title in 1999. Daniels, at 28 years and 41 days, is about 10 months younger than Theo Epstein was when he became Boston's GM on Nov. 25, 2002. Daniels was promoted from assistant GM and Hart will remain a consultant. ... Reliever Carlos Almanzar was suspended for the first 10 days of next season for violating baseball's new steroids policy. He is the 10th major-league player and second Ranger banned 10 days this year. Texas right-hander Agustin Montero was suspended April 20.
