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DETROIT -- A picture of Jim Leylands face stared out from the video board at an empty Comerica Park, next to that familiar Olde English "D" and a message that said simply: "Thank You Jim." After eight seasons managing the Tigers, including three division titles and two American League pennants, Leyland stepped down Monday. His voice cracking at times, his hands wiping away tears at others, he announced his departure two days after Detroit was eliminated by Boston in the AL championship series. "Its been a thrill," the 68-year-old Leyland said during a news conference at the ballpark. "I came here to change talent to team, and I think with the help of this entire organization, I think weve done that. Weve won quite a bit. Im very grateful to have been a small part of that." Leyland made his managerial debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986, and from Barry Bonds to Miguel Cabrera, hes managed some of the sports biggest stars and been involved in some of baseballs most memorable games over the past quarter-century. In 1992, his Pirates lost Game 7 of the NLCS when Atlanta rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning. Five years later, Leyland won his only World Series title as manager when his Florida Marlins beat Cleveland in an 11-inning thriller in Game 7. Hes experienced some of the highest highs the game has to offer, but also endured difficult rebuilding periods in both Pittsburgh and Florida. After one season with the Colorado Rockies, Leyland didnt manage at all from 2000-05 before Detroit hired him. Leyland led the Tigers to the World Series immediately after taking over in 2006, losing to St. Louis in five games. The Tigers went to the World Series again in 2012 but were swept by San Francisco. Leyland worked under one-year contracts the last couple of years, saying he was content to wait until after the season to address his status. He was reflective late this season, mentioning to reporters that he had already managed the Tigers longer than he had expected they would keep him, but he also said in September that he still loved the atmosphere, the competition and his team. In fact, hed actually told general manager Dave Dombrowski in early September that he didnt want to return as manager. He expects to remain with the organization in some capacity after going 700-597 as Tigers manager. "Im not totally retiring today, Im just not going to be in the dugout anymore," Leyland said. "I hope and pray that you give the next manager the same respect and the same chance that you gave me." Leyland says his health is fine, but its time to stop managing. He said he started weighing his decision around June. "I started thinking this was getting a little rough. I thought that the fuel was getting a little low," Leyland said. "I knew that Id get through it because I knew wed be playing for something." The Tigers figure to contend again next year, which may lead Dombrowski to look for a proven commodity who can come in and manage. Kirk Gibson, who led Detroit to the 1984 World Series title as a player, is now managing in Arizona, but Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall tried to quash any speculation that Gibson would return to the Tigers. "We would not grant permission (to the Tigers to talk to Gibson) if asked because we want him here, and he told me this morning he has no interest in leaving," Hall said. Detroits players found out about Leylands departure after Saturday nights game in Boston, where the Red Sox won Game 6 to take the series. "Youve got your head down, you lost and the seasons over, and then Jim dropped that bomb on us," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "I just had a feeling that it could have been his last year. All year, he was kind of emotional, and I just felt it." Leyland said there was no announcement Saturday because he wanted the focus to be on the victorious Red Sox. However, he was honest about how much this defeat hurt. "With all due respect to the Boston Red Sox -- who earned it, they won it, they deserve to be where they are -- I truly believe the Detroit Tigers should be playing here tomorrow," Leyland said. "This is one thats going to stick with me, this is one that really hurts, because I really felt like we let it get away." When Leyland arrived at the Tigers spring training camp this year, it marked 50 seasons since he first showed up there as an 18-year-old prospect. His playing career never amounted to much, but his accomplishments as a manager over more than two decades have been impressive. He is 1,769-1,728 overall during stints with the Tigers, Pirates, Marlins and Rockies. "I had sent him a text yesterday morning, just to congratulate he and the organization," Boston manager John Farrell said. "Not only on a great team and a great year, and express the respect we have for him and certainly personally have for him throughout his career. To see the announcement today, and listen to him and know that early September this was clearly in his mind, that surprised me." When Leyland took over the Tigers, they had gone 12 years without a winning season. During his tenure, they finished under .500 only once. Detroit has become one of baseballs glamour teams of late, with stars like Cabrera, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer helping the team win games and draw fans. Cabrera won the Triple Crown and MVP award last year. Verlander won the MVP and Cy Young Award the previous season. "Its been as much fun for me to manage Ramon Santiago as it has Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander," Leyland said. "Now in saying that, it was also an honour to manage the Triple Crown winner, an MVP, a Cy Young winner." The Tigers should be able to keep their core of players mostly together for next season, but now theyll need to find a new manager to replace Leyland, who always earned high marks for his ability to keep his veterans focused. "He really cares deeply about his players," utility man Don Kelly said. "When you go out there, the way he treats you, you want to run through a wall for him, go out there and get a win. Thats the way he treated me. He treated everybody like that." Luke Voit Yankees Jersey .S. Olympic hockey management team have been making what he called "ghost rosters" since August. Jonathan Loaisiga Yankees Jersey . Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart, Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this season. https://www.cheapyankees.com/741g-thurman-munson-jersey-yankees.html .I dont think it comes to mind in this business, in this game, the Philadelphia Flyers forward said. You dont try to lose games. Kyle Higashioka Yankees Jersey . TSNs Farhan Lalji reports the Edmonton Eskimos non-import DT has a workout scheduled with an NFL team next week and isnt expected to sign a deal with any team until then. Jonathan Holder Jersey .com) - Nicklas Backstrom scored a pair of goals and Alex Ovechkin notched a highlight-reel tally, leading the Washington Capitals to a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday at the Prudential Center.DETROIT -- It was an inning that defied explanation -- the New York Yankees banging out hit after hit against one of the best pitchers in baseball. "Sometimes it just happens. The game doesnt always make sense," manager Joe Girardi said. "Hes as good as it gets, and we were able to hit some balls in the holes, and it worked out." The Yankees chased David Price with nine straight hits in the third inning, beating the Detroit Tigers 8-4 Wednesday night. New York scored all eight of its runs in the third off Price, who had pitched a one-hitter in his previous start. Jacoby Ellsbury started the barrage, and New York went all the way through the batting order until the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner was pulled after the ninth hit of the inning. "Ive had bad games before. Not that bad," Price said. "That was probably the worst game Ive ever had in my life." Rookie Shane Greene (4-1) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, struck out eight and walked one. The Yankees pulled within 2 1/2 games of Seattle for the second AL wild card, while Detroit remained a half-game behind the Mariners. The Tigers fell 2 1/2 games behind first-place Kansas City in the AL Central. Victor Martinez homered for Detroit. Price pitched out of jams in the first and second innings Wednesday, but there was no escaping the third. Ellsbury led off with a single and scored on Derek Jeters double. Martin Prado added a single, and Mark Teixeira followed with a double that made it 2-0. New York added five more singles -- by Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Chase Headley, Brett Gardner and Francisco Cervelli. Not every ball was hit hard, but by the time reliever Blaine Hardy replaced Price, it was 6-0 and the bases were still loaded. Price (12-10) was the first pitcher who allowed nine straight hits in a game since Houstons Bob Forsch gave up nine against Cincinnati on Aug. 3, 1989, according to STATS. New York, which began the night tied for 19th in scoring, went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position in the first two innings. The Yankees had not gotten as many as eight runs in an inning since Sept. 2 last year against the Chicago White Sox. TOUGH AT THE TOP: Ellsbuury had two hits Wednesday, a day after he homered twice against the Tigers.dddddddddddd He also stole his 36th and 37th bases of the year. The second steal came in that third inning. It looked like Price had Ellsbury picked off, but his throw to first was a bit low, and then Miguel Cabreras throw to second was just wide enough to enable Ellsbury to slide in safely. That play was overshadowed by the long rally that followed, when New York added eight more hits -- all with men in scoring position. "Just a big inning for us -- obviously the difference in the game," Ellsbury said. "It builds confidence. You want to be the next guy up, just keep the line moving." ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE: Girardi took part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and the Yankees announced that they have pledged $100,000 to the ALS Association. Girardi lost his uncle Ralph to the disease earlier this year. BAD TREND: For the third time in less than a week, a Detroit starter was knocked out in under three innings. Spot starters Robbie Ray and Buck Farmer met that fate last week, but Price had been solid since the Tigers acquired the left-hander from Tampa Bay at last months trade deadline. This was the second-shortest start of Prices career. He went 1 1-3 innings at Texas on July 4, 2009. The 12 hits and eight runs he allowed Wednesday both equaled career highs. TRAINERS ROOM Yankees: Cervelli, the catcher, was hit between the legs by a foul ball in the fifth but remained in the game. Gardner returned after missing three games with a right ankle injury. Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchezs status is unchanged after a visit with Dr. James Andrews. Sanchez had a setback this week in his recovery from a right pectoral strain, and although manager Brad Ausmus remains optimistic hell be able to pitch again this season, the team has no timetable on his return. UP NEXT Yankees: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (9-8) starts the rubber match of this three-game series Thursday. Kuroda has at least one victory over each of baseballs other 29 teams, but hes never beaten Detroit. Tigers: LHP Kyle Lobstein (0-0) makes his first career start. He allowed three runs in 5 2-3 relief innings in his major league debut last weekend against Minnesota. ' ' '