This past Saturday, former manager Jim Leyland was honored at Comerica Park for his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame and the retirement of his jersey number. Of particular note is a discussion…
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This past Saturday, former manager Jim Leyland was honored at Comerica Park for his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame and the retirement of his jersey number.
Of particular note is a discussion among fans about whether it was proper to give his name and number such prominence on Comerica’s walls. Based upon the fact he never won a World Series with the Tigers like Sparky Anderson and also Mickey Cochrane who are both up on the wall.
The Tigers moved the names of Harry Heilman, Heinie Manush, Sam Crawford, Hughie Jennings, Mickey Cochrane, George Kell and Ernie Harwell further to the left, stacking them close together, 3 deep. The font size of their names is smaller and none of them have their jersey numbers listed. Some of them played before 1921 when numbers weren’t used but others did have regular jersey numbers.
Leyland’s number was put to the right, just before Sparky Anderson’s. Both the size of their names and listed numbers match those of Willie Horton, Ty Cobb (no number), Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Hal Newhouser, Al Kaline, Jack Morris, Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker.
While Leyland does have his followers, some fans questioned the size and prominence of his name and number, considering he never won a World Series with the Tigers, as Sparky did. And the fact that he went into the Hall not choosing a team logo – when he could have picked the Tigers – made some fans upset.
What should have been the best choice for showcasing Leyland’s name and number on Comerica’s walls?
What do you think about Jim Leyland's name and jersey number being added to Comerica Park's walls?
1. Only managers who have won a World Series should have that honor.
2. His name and number should have been smaller to better reflect his contributions.
3. He deserved having the same size name and number as the all-time Tiger greats.
VOTE