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." Fake Jordan .C. -- Tony Stewart will not race Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, the third Sprint Cup race hes skipped since his car struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. Fake Yeezy . Goins is the early favourite to win the starting job at second base. Pillar is an outsider to secure a role off the bench, which becomes an even more difficult spot to win if the number of back up jobs is reduced by one. That happens if the Blue Jays decide to start the season with an eight man bullpen. https://www.fakeshoes.net/wholesake-fake-nike-air-force-1-f199.html .com) - Nicolas Colsaerts fired an 11-under 60 on Thursday and grabbed a 3-stroke lead with the opening round of the Portugal Masters suspended by rain. Replica Shoes . -- Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford made it through a third straight practice without any setbacks and expects to play in Oaklands regular-season finale against San Diego. Wholesake Fake Air Jordan 1 .com) - The University of Montana named Bob Stitt as its new head football coach on Tuesday.The Winnipeg Jets conclude a three-game home stand at MTS Centre with a 2pm ct faceoff today against the Ottawa Senators. You can listen to all the action on TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg and TSN Radio 1200 Ottawa. Also, dont forget to join the Jets Game Night Chat. Its the second and final meeting between these teams this season. Clarke MacArthur scored the game winning goal in Ottawa Jan. 2 as the Senators won 4-3. The Jets (30-27-7) have 67 points and trail the Dallas Stars by three points for a Western Conference Wild Card playoff spot. Other teams vying for a Wild Card spot are the Phoenix Coyotes, who have a two-point lead on Winnipeg, the Vancouver Canucks who are one back of the Jets and the Nashville Predators who now trail the Jets by five points. As for those teams tonight, the Stars host the Minnesota Wild , the Coyotes are in Washington to face the Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets play in Nashville. Winnipeg has an 11-4-2 record under Head Coach Paul Maurice. Ondrej Pavelec is expected to start in goal. Maurice confirmed yesterday he will use the same line up as he did in Thursdays 3-1 loss to Los Angeles. Jets Projected Lines: Ladd-Little-Wheeler Kane-Jokinen-Byfugllien Setoguchi-Frolik-Halischuk Tangradi-Slater-Peluso Defence Bogosian-Enstrom Stuart-Trouba Pardy-Ellerby Olli Jokinen is on a three-game point streak (two goals and one assist).dddddddddddd Blake Wheeler has 17 points (seven goals and 10 assists) in has last 17 games. The Senators (27-25-11) have 65 points and trail the Detroit Red Wings by six points for an Eastern Conference Wild Card playoff spot. Ottawa would also have to pass Columbus, Washington and the New Jersey Devils to qualify for the post-season. This is the final game for Ottawa on a four-game road trip. The Senators are winless in their last two games after losing 3-2 in Edmonton and 4-1 in Calgary. Craig Anderson will start in goal. Senators Projected Lines: Michalek-Spezza-Hemsky Hoffman-Turris-Ryan Greening-Smith-Neil Kassian-Zibanejad-Condra Defence Methot-Karlsson Phillips-Ceci Wiercioch-Gryba Ales Hemsky played 15:55 and had two shots on goal in his Senators debut in Calgary on Wednesday. Ottawas power play is ranked first overall in the NHL on the road at 25.7 per cent. Next action for the Jets will be Monday in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche (8pm ct on TSN 1290 and TSN Jets) ' ' '