"Your presence is always felt" - Jim Leyland brings fans to tears with his heartfelt Cooperstown speech at MLB Hall of Fame Induction 2024

Legendary manager Jim Leyland is among the latest inductees, including Adrian Beltre, Joe Mauer and Todd Helton, who were selected in January to be enshrined in Cooperstown, New York. The 2024 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony was organized at Clark Sports Center Grounds on Sunday, where all four new inductees gave their thanks to fans, family and friends.

When it was time for Leyland to end his speech at the podium, the former manager left everyone teary-eyed with his moving words for all fans of baseball. Apart from sending his best for all the current generation of players and feeling grateful to his family, Leyland took a deep dive into the hearts of every American.

"No matter which Hall of Famer you're here to support today, or which team you cheer for, your presence is always felt," Leyland said. "On your feet in the ninth, with the home team clinging to a one-run lead, turning on your television for the first game of the World Series, and seeing 50,000 fans waving towels, hoping and praying that this may be their year.

"Or a little boy or girl getting their first autograph and scurrying back to the stands to show mom and dad their latest treasure. Ladies and gentlemen, that's you. That's baseball, and this is the Hall of Fame. Thank you very much."

What is written on Jim Leyland's Hall of Fame plaque?

MLB: Hall of Fame-Induction Ceremony of Jim Leyland (Source: Imagn)

Before Jim Leyland took to the podium, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recited the plaque of the legendary manager, which will be placed among the MLB's finest at Cooperstown.

"Master strategist and motivator galvanized youngsters and veterans to lead three franchises to the postseason and win a World Series title. Debut as manager with the Pirates in 1986, guiding rebuild that resulted in three straight N.L. East crowns from 1990-92," Manfred said.

"After 11 seasons in Pittsburgh, melded a reassembled Marlins team World Series champions in 1997. Over eight seasons at the helm of the Tigers, piloted team to three first-place finishes and A.L. pennants in 2006 and 2012. Winner of Manager of the Year Award twice in N.L. (1990, 1992) and once again in A.L. (2006)."

After working as a coach for the Chicago White Sox between 1982 and 1985, Jim Leyland started his managerial journey with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1996) and then continued with the Florida Marlins (1997-1998), the Colorado Rockies (1999) and finally the Detroit Tigers (2006-2013).

He won the World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997. The three-time Manager of the Year is also a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame.