Regner: Leyland made the right call

Published Oct. 21, 2013 4:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jim Leyland’s last move as Detroit Tigers manager was the right move.

Once your body begins to send messages to your brain that you can’t ignore, it’s time to listen.

That’s what happened to Jim Leyland. His 68-year-old body told him it was time to go.

Several times during his farewell press conference at Comerica Park on Monday, Leyland referred to the "signs" he received during the season that led him to his decision to retire after eight seasons.

“When it’s time, it’s time,” Leyland said. “And it’s time to step down from the managerial position of the Detroit Tigers.

“The fuel was starting to get low, and that’s just the way it went.”

Leyland added that he didn’t think it would be fair to anybody if he continued. He repeatedly mentioned being tired after road trips.

“I could see it coming, the trips were starting to get tough,” Leyland said. “If you looked at what we just did during the postseason, we went out to Oakland, back and forth twice, then flew into Boston, got in at 9 o’clock in the morning.

“I’m going to be 69 years old. I’m not ashamed of it. I’m proud of it. But as I said, the fuel is starting to get a little low.”

As you grow older, you don't become wiser. You’re morphed into becoming a realist.

You have to be honest with yourself. Despite the desire, you have now encountered unforeseen physical limitations that impact how you feel and what you’re able to do.

It happened to Jim Leyland, and someday it will happen to you.