Jim Leyland

Tough guy that he is, Jim Leyland doesn't quit. The first-year Florida Marlin manager remains focused no matter the situation, and his players realize they had better as well. Or else. Leyland won't tolerate anything less than complete dedication, because he expects that of himself. And fortunately for South Florida, the Marlins haven't disappointed Leyland. They have followed their intense leader's lead, overcoming obstacles because Leyland told them they could.

The embrace lasted only seconds. Bobby Bonilla and Jim Leyland hugged and whispered a few words to each other Tuesday night, sharing one of many special moments after the Marlins clinched the National League championship series against the Braves. Though the moment was short, Bonilla said it was significant for him and his manager. "Just a lot of emotion out there," the Marlin third baseman said. "I've been here with [Leyland] before so this was very special."

A game after becoming the first Pittsburgh manager to win his debut since Harry Walker did in 1965, Gene Lamont faced what his friend and predecessor Jim Leyland did so many times the last several seasons. The Pirates' 7-5 loss on Thursday to the Giants gave them a split in their season-opening series. What helped the Giants end an eight-game home losing streak to Pittsburgh was Jeff Kent, who matched a career-high with five RBIs. Then the Giants withstood Mark Johnson's first grand slam.

Now that the world knows what the Angels are thinking--and what splendid thoughts those are--there is no longer a question of how they should act. They wanted their manager to be Jim Leyland? Then they should fill that vacancy with Jim Fregosi. They offered Leyland nearly $2 million a year, including stock options and house and vacation packages? They could get Fregosi for the bit about the stock. He's the sort who would use his office for a house and his dugout for a vacation.

Jim Leyland paused during his news conference Friday to try on a new Florida Marlins jersey, then jokingly complained that it was a bit big. To the Marlins, it looks like a perfect fit. Florida finished first in a furious four-team race for Leyland, who flew down from Pittsburgh early Friday and signed a five-year contract to manage a team that has not had a winning season in its four-year existence.

The Angels and the Walt Disney Co. were ready to open the vault for Jim Leyland, but the highly coveted former Pittsburgh Pirate manager said thanks but no thanks Wednesday night. "I can tell you that it's down to three teams, and that the Angels and I have decided to go in a different direction," Leyland said. "My wife and I are trying to make a decision, but to be honest with you, I haven't had the time to talk to her because the phone keeps ringing."

The Angels and the Walt Disney Co. were ready to open the vault for Jim Leyland, but the highly coveted former manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates said thanks but no thanks Wednesday night. "I can tell you that it's down to three teams, and that the Angels and I have decided to go in a different direction," Leyland said. "My wife and I are trying to make a decision, but to be honest with you, I haven't had the time to talk to her because the phone keeps ringing."

The Angels have made a lucrative offer to Jim Leyland, the hottest commodity on baseball's managerial market, that includes Disney Co. stock options and other incentives that had "Jimmy's head reeling," according to a family friend Tuesday. While the Angels--along with the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox--are aggressively seeking Leyland, a new name has moved up near the top of the Angels' list of candidates: Sparky Anderson.

The Angels Tuesday made a lucrative offer to Jim Leyland, the hottest commodity in baseball's managerial market, that includes Disney Co. stock options and other incentives that "had Jimmy's head reeling," according to a family friend. While the Angels--along with the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox--are aggressively seeking Leyland, a new name has moved high on the Angels' list of candidates: Sparky Anderson.

The list of Angel managerial candidates grew by two with the firing Monday of Philadelphia's Jim Fregosi and Boston's Kevin Kennedy, but the Angels are focusing their attention on Jim Leyland, whose tenure as Pittsburgh's manager ended Sunday. Leyland confirmed Monday that he had received an offer from the Florida Marlins but a baseball insider said the Angels had "made a very aggressive offer" for Leyland on Monday night, and the Chicago White Sox and Red Sox are expected to make offers today.