Jim Leyland Powerful Baseball Hall of Fame Speech
Tigers fans love many things: Magglio’s HR to send us to the series in 2006, the 1984 Tigers, Al Kaline, Mark Fidrych, Sparky Anderson and of course Jim Leyland. So of course we were all beaming with pride when The Skipper was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.
Jim Leyland and the Hall
It’s baseball and we love stats: Jim Leyland managed the Tigers for eight seasons, 700 wins, three division titles and two pennants from 2006-2013. The emotion he showed for the team, the owner, the players and just as importantly the fans was apparent from day one.
Jim Leyland wore his heart on his sleeve – and we loved him for it. There are moments we remember so vividly as Tigers fans – Magglio’s HR against the A’s in the ALCS, the near perfect game with Leyland rushing out of the dugout, the tears when he talked about how much this means to him and this city when they made the series in 2006. But there’s a different part of Leyland that I’ll always remember.
Jim Leyland Can Sing
Back in the 2009 he went to the Motown Museum and sang “betcha by golly wow” (Stylistics, right?) into the echo chamber and he nailed it. There was also this moment when Jim met a young lady who was going to sing the national anthem before a game and took time to not only meet her, but they sang for a bit:
We’ve been blessed to have amazing players and managers wear the old English D over the years, and to live in a time where we got to watch Jim Leyland on the bench was amazing. It’s was always about the fans, which is how Jim ended his speech on Sunday:
“No matter which Hall of Famer you’re here to support today, or which team you cheer for, your presence is always felt…on your feet in the ninth with the home team clinging to a one-run lead, turning on your television for the first game in the World Series and seeing 50,000 fans hoping and praying that this may be their year, or a little boy or girl getting their first autograph scurrying back to the stands to show mom and dad what they just did. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s you. That’s baseball. And this is the Hall of Fame.”
12 Of The Most Unique MLB Stadium Attractions
The Pool at Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks
Behind the outfield wall at Chase Field, there’s a pool area. From here, you can see the entire game. At the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, you can take in a National League West game while going for a swim. The area accommodates 35 people.
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The Green Monster Seats at Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox
You surely know all about the infamous Green Monster left field wall at Fenway Park, but did you know you can sit on top of it? There are 269 seats available for Red Sox ticket purchase. This area is a common spot for lucky fans to catch a home run ball.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
McCovey Cove at AT&T Park - San Francisco Giants
If you want to kayak up against the outfield wall of a picturesque stadium, McCovey Cove in San Francisco is your spot. While its common to see boats overshadowing right field, this is also a common spot for those looking to catch a memorable home run ball.
Michael Heiman/Getty Images
The Ivy at Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs
“There’s magic in the ivy and the old scoreboard,” Eddie Vedder sings in his Cubs tribute song “All The Way.” The legendary ivy covering the outfield walls at Wrigley might arguably be the most iconic ballpark look of all.
Brian Kersey/Getty Images
Touch Tank at Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays
A tank containing real live stingrays rests within the outfield of the stadium. This is a 35 foot, 10,000 gallon exhibit that is in partnership with the Florida Aquarium.
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
The Bobblehead Museum at loanDepot Park - Miami Marlins
Along the main concourse in center field, there’s the Bobblehead Museum at loanDepot Park in Miami. This is the home of over 500 bobbleheads that are enclosed behind glass. While many of these are MLB and minor league players, a section includes entertainers and special giveaways the Marlins have done.
Jason Arnold/Getty Images
The Fountains at Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City Royals
The city fountains are well represented at the home of the Royals. The fountains in outfield are 322 feet wide. They can change colors and offer a magnificent display. Select 200 level seats near the fountains can be purchased. There are eight programmed fountain shows, where 600 nozzles can launch into 150 combinations of effects.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The Rockpile at Coors Field - Colorado Rockies
You can sit high above centerfield in Colorado. The Rockpile offers $4 select tickets. It’s a bleacher style seating, giving you a true Rocky Mountain feel.
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