Jim Leyland was named the 2006 American League Manager of the Year in his first season as the skipper for the Detroit Tigers. In a dramatic turnaround, Leyland led the Tigers to the 2006 American League title and into the World Series. He was also selected as the National League Manager of the Year in both 1990 and 1992 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Leyland is one of just seven managers in Major League history to win pennants in both leagues.

In 2007, Leyland will begin his second year in Detroit and 16th season as a big league manager. Before being rehired by the Tigers, he was a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals. Other managerial stops for Leyland include serving as the skipper of the Colorado Rockies (1999), Florida Marlins (1997-98) and Pirates (1986-96). In 1997, he guided Florida to a world championship after leading Pittsburgh to three consecutive National League Championship Series appearances from 1990-92. Leyland began his Major League career by serving as the third-base coach with the Chicago White Sox for four seasons (1982-85) under manager Tony LaRussa.

Leyland spent his first 18 years in professional baseball as a part of the Detroit organization. The Tigers signed him as a catcher in 1963 and he lasted six seasons as a minor league player before moving on as a coach in 1970. Leyland managed for 11 years (1971-81) at the minor league level, making six postseason appearances and capturing league titles three times. He was chosen as the Florida State League Manager of the Year in both 1977 and 1978 before earning the top manager award in the American Association in 1979.
 
As a teenager, Leyland played baseball, football and basketball at Perrysburg (Ohio) High School. The school’s baseball field was later named in his honor.
 
Leyland is lifelong Catholic who attended parochial schools and was taught by Ursuline nuns. His father was a member of the Holy Name Society and an usher for more than 50 years. Leyland’s brother Tom is a Catholic priest and the pastor at St. Rose Parish in Perrysburg and his two aunts were Catholic nuns. Father Tom married Leyland and his wife Katie in November 1987. He and his wife have two children, Patrick and Kellie.