Still. Smokers out there, you know what I'm talking about. That moment, after you've had a huge meal, say at Thanksgiving, when you step outside in the cold, light up a cigarette and take a deep inhale ... that's about the best moment in the world, you know? All the smokers out there, you know that feeling. Sometimes, smoking is fantastic.

Jim Leyland

Categorized in : Talking Smoking Light

I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'

Jim Leyland

humorous player song

You're not always going to be at your best, but it better be the best you've got that day.

Jim Leyland

being-the-best

We need our veterans to set an example, like being the first ones there. A veteran is entitled to a bigger paycheck, but not a special set of rules.

Jim Leyland

our-veterans special firsts

You don't lead by lip service, you lead by example.

Jim Leyland

lip-service lips example

Barry Bonds was like Joe Namath or Muhammad Ali. He could make a statement and go out and back it up. Not a lot of guys can do that. In fact, managers usually cringe when guys make statements about what they're going to do. In Barry's case, I liked it. I think he did it on purpose to motivate himself. In a lot of ways, it's easy for Barry. I think he needs a little controversy around him.

Jim Leyland

guy littles thinking

Everyone in the world disagrees with me, including some managers, but I think managing in the American League is much more difficult for that very reason (having the designated hitter). In the National League, my situation is dictated for me. If I'm behind in the game, I've got to pinch hit. I've got to take my pitcher out. In the American League, you have to zero in. You have to know exactly when to take them out of there. In the National League, that's done for you.

Jim Leyland

zero games thinking

We need to have preparation to win. A disciplined team will win more close games over a period of time.

Jim Leyland

team games winning

It's well known that I interviewed with Philadelphia last winter, and I'd like to manage again.

Jim Leyland

philadelphia lasts winter

When it’s time, it’s time … and it’s time.

Jim Leyland

You can't run a mule in the Kentucky Derby.

Jim Leyland

mules kentucky running

I've managed 25 years, and I can probably count on one hand players that I didn't really care for, and that's probably thousands of players that I've managed. I think that's pretty good. I love the players and I always will.

Jim Leyland

player hands thinking

I'm second in doubles - double vodkas, double scotches.

Jim Leyland

vodka scotch

When somebody talks about your career, most people are gonna talk about wins and losses, a World Series or pennants. But if somebody asked me how I would sum up my career I would say I had a unbelievable, fabulous career.

Jim Leyland

careers winning loss

It takes time to get the whole package. Freshmen can't be seniors.

Jim Leyland

freshman senior baseball

I learned this a long time ago. If you call a guy into your office and shut the door, if there’s media around, it sends up a red flag. I never wanted to embarrass a player.

Jim Leyland

red-flags player doors

Momentum is your next day's pitcher.

Jim Leyland

next-day momentum next

He represented the Twins , but I think everyone in baseball felt like they were a teammate of Kirby Puckett.

Jim Leyland

teammate baseball thinking

If anybody says they get used to it, you don't.

Jim Leyland

used ifs

My eight years in Detroit, obviously, were my most successful years managing. I think that Pittsburgh and Detroit are probably very, very similar. We kinda rekindled the fire of baseball in Pittsburgh. We did the exact same thing in Detroit.

Jim Leyland

successful baseball thinking

I had 11 years of managerial experience and four years of coaching before I managed a big-league team. To me, it was important, because I learned a lot through trial and error. And it's tough to have to go through trial and error when you're a big-league manager.

Jim Leyland

errors team years