Tigers to honor Leyland on May 10

DETROIT -- Jim Leyland made well over a thousand visits to the mound at Comerica Park to change pitchers over the course of his eight-year career as Tigers manager. On Saturday, May 10, he'll be heading out there to actually throw a pitch.

The Tigers will honor their former manager in a special on-field ceremony ahead of their 1:08 p.m. ET game against the Twins, including the ceremonial first pitch. It'll be an on-field salute to a 50-year career baseball that began as a Minor League catcher in the Tigers organization and ended in the Tigers' dugout for the native of nearby Perrysburg, Ohio.

As part of the celebration, all fans will receive a commemorative Jim Leyland art piece.

The 69-year-old Leyland finished his career with three straight division titles, two American League pennants and a third-place standing on the team's managerial wins list. He's the only Tigers manager to lead the team to the postseason four times, comprising half of his eight postseason appearances over a 22-year Major League managerial career.

Leyland retired as Tigers manager at the end of last season, but he remained in the organization as a special assistant. He currently ranks 15th in wins all time among Major League managers.