Jim Leyland, who led the Detroit Tigers to two pennants in eight seasons, will not return for a ninth.
The 68-year-old veteran told the team he was stepping down after the Tigers' Game 6 loss to the Boston Red Sox in the AL Championship Series Saturday, Fox Sports reported.
"I have told most of you, when it's time, it's time and it's time," Leyland said during a press conference. "It's time to step down."
According to the Detroit Free Press, Leyland made his decision early Sept. but only shared it with his players this past weekend. Before making the decision, Leyland said he talked to former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa about how to walk away from the game.
The Press reported that Leyland will be taking an unnamed position within the organization.
Detroit was Leyland's fourth and most successful stop in a managerial career that likely will conclude with his enshrinement in baseball's Hall of Fame. He posted a 700-597 record with the Tigers, and has 1,769 wins in a 22-year career.
He won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997 and led the Pittsburgh Pirates to three consecutive NL East titles from 1990-92.
This season, the Tigers won 93 games and a third consecutive AL Central title. They defeated the Oakland Athletics in the AL Division Series before losing the AL Championship Series in six games to the Red Sox. Leyland was managing the Tigers under a one-year contract extension he signed a year ago.
"What's gone on here has been unbelievable. We've won a lot of games, we've had a lot of seats filled," Leyland said. "I came here to make talent a team, and I think we did that."
Leyland's departure has created five managerial openings among the Tigers, Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners.
"So long. It's not goodbye. And from the bottom of my heart thank you for having me." -Jim Leyland #ThanksJim
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 21, 2013
"I can here to make talent a team, and I think we did that." -Jim Leyland #ThanksJim — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 21, 2013
"You're talking about one of the best managers to ever manage this game." - Torii Hunter #ThanksJim
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 21, 2013
