DETROIT (AP) — Jim Leyland will be sticking in the Detroit dugout for awhile.
The Tigers gave their manager a two-year contract extension Friday through the 2011 season. Financial
terms were not announced.
"It’s extremely well deserved," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. He
said he looks forward to Leyland leading Detroit "for years to come."
The 64-year-old Leyland is in his fourth season with the Tigers, and this was the last year on his deal.
Detroit is leading the AL Central.
"I’m thrilled they want me to continue," he said. "I was thrilled they asked me to come
here in the first place."
The Tigers went a disappointing 74-88 last year, and Leyland wasn’t offered an extension after the
season.
On Friday, Leyland was stretched on a couch that folds out into a bed in his office at Comerica Park,
smoking a cigarette and having a cup of coffee, when he got the good news.
"I was totally shocked," he said.
Leyland spent the night in his office after the Tigers got in late Thursday night from a three-game
series at St. Louis. He lives in a Detroit hotel during the season.
Dombrowski usually travels with the team, but hasn’t been on the last three trips because he was watching
the Tigers’ minor leaguers. He came down to Leyland’s office in the morning and, after they discussed a
few things, offered Leyland the extension.
"I just think it was the right time to step forward and get this done," Dombrowski said.
Leyland has a 292-260 record with the Tigers going into Friday night’s game against Milwaukee. He guided
Detroit to a surprising AL pennant in 2006 and was voted AL Manager of the Year.
Leyland managed 14 years in the majors before coming to Detroit. He led the Pittsburgh Pirates from
1986-96, the Florida Marlins in 1997-98 (winning the World Series in ’97) and the Colorado Rockies in
1999.
He was the NL Manager of the Year in 1990 and 1992.