NASHVILLE — After a distinguished 22-year managerial profession by which he led 4 completely different groups, captured three pennants and gained a World Series title, Jim Leyland has now earned a spot in Cooperstown.
Leyland was the only candidate elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era Committee, which convened on the Winter Meetings in Nashville on Sunday and thought of eight former managers, executives and umpires. Leyland simply cleared the 75% threshold to earn induction, showing on 15 of the 16 ballots solid.
A 3-time Manager of the Year choice, Leyland went 1,769-1,728 in his profession with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies and Detroit Tigers. His most memorable moments got here with the Marlins, who he led to the 1997 World Series title after a dramatic seven-game collection in opposition to the Cleveland Indians, and later he led the Detroit Tigers to a pair of American League pennants.
Leyland additionally led Team USA to the World Baseball Classic title in 2017, popping out of retirement to assist the Americans to their first championship for the reason that event’s creation. He is the one supervisor in historical past to win each a World Series and a World Baseball Classic.
Red Sox followers finest bear in mind Leyland for his involvement within the 2013 American League Championship Series, by which the Tigers had the Red Sox on the ropes late in Game 2 earlier than David Ortiz swung the collection together with his well-known game-tying grand slam.
Former Yankees and Rays supervisor Lou Piniella fell one vote wanting induction (11 votes) and former National League president Bill White was proper behind him with 10. The different 5 candidates, managers Cito Gaston and Davey Johnson, umpires Joe West and Ed Montague and government Hank Peters, all obtained lower than 5 votes.
Leyland will now stand on stage beside whichever gamers are voted in by the writers throughout subsequent July’s induction ceremony in Cooperstown. The BBWAA vote shall be introduced on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Source: www.bostonherald.com