DETROIT (WWJ) — Two weeks ago former Tigers manager Jim Leyland had his moment in the spotlight in Cooperstown, NY, as he was enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
This weekend he’ll have his moment in Detroit.
The Tigers are set to retire Leyland’s No. 10, which he donned in the eight seasons he spent as the skipper at Comerica Park. It will be the 10th number to be retired in franchise history, and just the second of a manager, joining Sparky Anderson’s No. 11.
The Tigers will hold a pregame retirement ceremony ahead of Saturday’s 6:10 p.m. game against the Kansas City Royals. With gates opening at 4:30 p.m., fans are encouraged to get to Comerica early and be in their seats by 5:25 p.m. for the ceremony.
The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Jim Leyland “Starter Pack” that “mirrors Leyland’s iconic look,” featuring a baseball hat, mustache and sunglasses.
There will be a pregame private meet and greet for 1901 Society members ahead of Friday’s game, with tickets available on the Tigers website. Leyland will sign autographs in The D Shop from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Prior to Sunday’s series finale, ticketed fans are invited to enjoy a conversation with Leyland on the Comerica Park concourse from 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Leyland is one of three managers in Tigers history to win at least 700 games with Detroit and the only manager to lead the team to four postseason appearances. He spent the last eight seasons of his 22-year MLB managerial career wearing the “Olde English D.”
He led the Tigers to World Series appearances in 2006 and 2012, though they lost both series, to the Cardinals and Giants, respectively.
The Tigers are offering the “Leyland Legend 2-Pack,” which includes a ticket to Saturday’s game as well as the series opener on September 10 against the Colorado Rockies, whom Leyland managed during the 1999 season. The special ticket package also includes a limited-release commemorative Jim Leyland T-shirt.
“We are excited to welcome Jim Leyland and his family back to Detroit, and for his name and number to be forever displayed among the Tigers greats at Comerica Park,” said Ryan Gustafson, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “We were honored to celebrate with Jim at his Hall of Fame induction and look forward to our fans saluting him for the tremendous run he and his Tigers teams had in our city.”