The History File: Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland: From the Midwest League to the Majors
By George Kampling of the Clinton Herald (published in 1991)
How different is managing a team in the National League playoffs than managing a team in the Midwest League playoffs?
According to Pittsburgh Pirates manager Jim Leyland, manager of the Clinton Pilots for three years during the 1970's, the major differences are the size of the stadium, a larger crowd, and the monetary remuneration.
"It's amazing, but when I look at it in perspective, taking Clinton into the Midwest League playoffs against Wisconsin Rapids in 1973 was a highlight of my career," said Leyland amid preparations for the 1991 season.
"It seems that when I was at Clinton, the farthest thing imaginable was managing in the 'bigs" (Major Leagues). Getting here, and reflecting back, it doesn't seem that long ago."
The 1990 season was Jim Leyland's fifth as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made it a memorable one by guiding the club to a 95-67 record and its first National League Eastern Division title in 11 years. The season came to a close when the Pirates lost a hard-fought and exciting series to the eventual World Champion Cincinnati Reds, four games to two.
His efforts did not go unnoticed as he was named the National League Manager of the Year by both the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Sporting News (manager's poll).
Leyland was also named Dapper Dan Manager of the Year, an award given annually to a Pittsburgh sports figure in recognition of an outstanding achievement on a national level.
Leyland's overall record in five seasons with the Bucs is 398-410 (.492 winning percentage). He was given a two-year contract extension on Oct. 12, 1990 and is now signed through the end of the 1993 season.
"It doesn't seem that long ago when we would stop the bus to pick up "Growler" (Earl Fenn) on our way to Cedar Rapids or Davenport. I don't want to sound too corny, but the minors (minor leagues) are the heart and soul of baseball.
"It's amazing when I look back...we charter a plane to fly, or take the subway in New York when there are millions of people...I can still see corn fields and only a few buildings here or there between Clinton and Cedar Rapids or Burlington.
"There are thousands of people all over and it's the same game - but I'll never forget those days. In 20 years I'll not forget the likes of Jim Wagner, Ron LeFlore, Phil Mankowski, 'Spider' (Art) James, Billy Baldwin, Eddie Glynn. They were a good group and through it all, a lot of fun.
"I enjoyed that time, the only bad time was each night when they had to spray for bugs (mosquito spraying time about the fifth inning). It got so foggy on the field you couldn't see. And another time I remember Fritz (General Manager Fritz Colschen) trying to pick up a hog and put it in the back of a pickup truck for some promotion or other. But that was all part of growing up."
Leyland added, "I can remember my first day managing at Clinton in 1972. We played at Davenport and there was a snow fence all around the field (inside the fence) because of the flood. I also remember my small office and throwing a chair through the window of it once and (trainer) Ken Houston picking it up.
"If I remember right, I made $7,200 as a manager that first year - now we get more than that in meal money at spring training."
The Pirates' skipper had this to say about today's higher-than-skyscraper salaries.
"One thing you learn as a manager, you're just the field manager. Contract talks are between them (players) and the club. You don't comment about them, if you get involved you're going to lose.
"Once the contract talk is over they come in here and play their tails off - nobody is pouting.
"Sometimes fans get upset with the salaries but they have to remember that as long as it (salaries) doesn't hurt their pocketbook they're not hurt. Even though salaries are high it's still a reasonable ticket (price)."
Leyland is looking at the season with a shiny outlook.
"I can't hardly wait until we get started," he said. "I usually relax during the winter months but this year I've been so busy with banquets I'm circuited out. I can't wait until I get the uniform on and do what I do best.
"It's hard to repeat, but not because of a lack of motivation. It's a thrill to win your division. Now we would like to win the World Series. One day, hopefully, we can do that.
"Last yaer we did have a good solid yea rand won more games than anyone except Oakland. This year it is certainly our goal again. We lost some players to free agency but it wasn't a total wipeout, we still have an outstanding nucleus back. We'll look around and make a trade here or there and before training is over the holes will be filled."
A catcher during his playing days, Leyland signed his first professional contract with Detroit in the fall of 1963. He served that organization as a player, minor league coach and minor league manager until joining the Chicago White Sox in 1982.
After six seasons as a player he was appointed coach at Montgomery (AA) in the Southern League in 1970. He received his first managerial assignment at the age of 26 in 1971. He managed at Clinton, Montgomery and Lakeland before spending three seasons with the Tigers' Evansville (AAA) club in the American Association.
His teams advanced to the playoffs in five of his last six seasons in the minors, winning three league championships. All together his clubs made six post-season appearances in his 11 years at the minor league level. He was Manager of the Year in the Florida State League twice and once in the American Association.
Leyland and his wife Katie have lived in the Pittsburgh area sine his appointment. He has been honored by the Arthritis Foundation as Man-of-the-Year, by Vector's of Pittsburgh as Man-of-the-Year in Sports during the 1988-89 off season, as the Epilepsy Foundation's Man-of-the-Year and served as Christmas Chairman for the Salvation Army during the 1990-91 off season. When there is time he also enjoys hunting trips during off-season.
"At times it seems like ages," said Leyland. "But I can tell you this much, I have always had a place in my heart for Clinton and the many friends there. I will never forget it."
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”