After eight years, two pennants and four American League Championship Series, Jim Leyland will retire as the Detroit Tigers manager.
According to CBS Sports, after the Tigers were eliminated Saturday night in Game 6 against the Red Sox, Leyland told his team it was time for him to go.
“When it’s time, it’s time,” Leyland said in an emotional press conference Monday.
Leyland will be stepping down after a successful 22-year career. Before he became the manager in Detroit, he managed and led the Pittsburgh Pirates to three consecutive NL East titles and later won a World Series title with the Florida Marlins. He has a 700-597 record with the Tigers and 1,769 wins overall, notes USA Today.
During his press conference, the 68-year-old said that he would be accepting another position within the Tigers organization, but the exact position has not yet been determined.
The Tigers now have an entire off-season to figure out who they want to bring in as the new manager. If they want some experience, Dusty Baker and Charlie Manuel are both in need of another job.