Former Tigers manager Jim Leyland gets emotional after World Baseball Classic championship

If there's one thing Tigers fans remember about Jim Leyland - it's his pure emotion after winning.

Leyland managed the United States in the 2017 World Baseball Classic this year, and after winning the championship, Leyland got emotional:

Recommended Videos



An emotional Jim Leyland after Team USA's #WBC2017 win. pic.twitter.com/uwctU30m3r

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 23, 2017

You may remember other instances of Leyland getting emotional. Flashback to 2011, when the Tigers clinched the AL Central division. The skip smoked a cigar and let the emotion flow.

Leyland also let the tears flow after winning the AL Central in 2013 (and breaking out a few dance moves):

The U.S. trounced Puerto Rico 8-0 in the World Baseball Classic Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Marcus Stroman carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of the championship game.

In the third inning, Ian Kinsler hit a two-run home run, followed by RBIs in the fifth inning by Christian Yelich and Andrew McCutchen. In the seventh, Brandon Crawford singled home two runs and Giancarlo Stanton one more. In the eighth, McCutchen singled home Nolan Arenado for the eighth run.

U.S. Manager Jim Leyland pulled Stroman after Angel Pagan doubled to lead off the seventh inning, bringing in Sam Dyson who escaped the inning.

Pat Neshek began the eighth inning by allowing a leadoff single to Yadier Molina but induced a double-play, then worked around a two-out walk by striking out Kennys Vargas.

In the ninth, David Robertson induced an infield pop-up from Enrique Hernandez. After a Pagan single, Francisco Lindor grounded out to first base, then Carlos Correa grounded out to third to end the game.

In tournament play, the U.S. lost to the Dominican Republic but beat Canada and Colombia to get out of Pool C. In Pool F, the U.S. lost to Puerto Rico but beat the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. The U.S. took down Japan in the semifinals to advance to the finals to play Puerto Rico.

This was the fourth WBC tournament. The Dominican Republic won the last tournament and Japan the two before that. The next tournament will likely occur in 2021, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said.


About the Authors

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

Recommended Videos