I’m rooting for the Tigers this year.

“Is there going to be a strike, are there going to be layoffs? I know what that’s about.”

Detroit Tigers General Manager Jim Leyland.

“…My dad was a factory worker. I worked in a factory,” Leyland said.

“I know what it’s like for my dad trying to feed seven kids and worrying if the plant was going to shut down, or move to another place. Is there going to be a strike, are there going to be layoffs? I know what that’s about.

“And these people (Tigers fans), what they’ve gone through to keep coming out here, that’s unbelieveable. I was totally being sincere. And it is emotional for me.”

Leyland continued, “I’m not ashamed to say I had brothers who worked in the factory and I had to borrow money from them to have enough gas money to get to spring training when I was in the minor leagues some years….That’s just the way it was. You know, I know what it’s all about…I don’t know all the technicalities of the auto industry, but I do know people are getting up at 5 o’clock in the morning and sweating their tails off, hoping they don’t lose their jobs next week or have to live off unemployment. That’s not easy.”

Leyland just managed the Tigers to their first American League Central title since 1987.

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