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Leyland resides in Mt. Lebanon. He holds a close circle of friends in this area, and he appreciates what a big deal the upcoming All-Star Game is for Pittsburgh, as he plans on being one of the Pittsburghers to pack PNC Park on July 11.

There is little doubt Leyland has an opinion about the Pirates' season, but he refused to talk about it.

"That's none of my business," Leyland said. "My responsibility is to the Detroit Tigers."

For the most part, Pirates fans are fine with that -- even if Leyland did crave an opportunity to return to the club's managerial post prior to his taking over the Tigers this past offseason.

Apparently, enough time has passed since Leyland's departure following the 1996 season that Pirates fans no longer consider him a managerial god, which many in attendance last night acknowledged might be needed to reverse the fortunes of this club.

"I don't think he would have made any difference with this particular team," said Sarah McManus of Squirrel Hill prior to last night's game. "I'm looking forward to seeing him because I'm a Pirates fan and I appreciate what he did for us, but that was a long time ago."

Still, Leyland was the clear favorite among autograph seekers prior to last night's game, and he was met with noticeable applause upon taking the lineup card to the home plate umpire.

"These people are Pittsburghers," Leyland said. "They may wish me good luck, but they don't really mean it. They're pulling for the Pirates. I'm sure I've left some tickets for people who are pulling for the Pirates.

"I wouldn't expect anything else. That's why I love this town."

Leyland won over Pittsburgh quickly in the mid-1980s with a fiery attitude and no-nonsense approach that ultimately fueled the organization to three consecutive divisional pennants from 1990-92.

That emotion was noticeably absent from his final years with the Pirates, when the team's reduction of payroll led to the departure of stars such as Bobby Bonilla, John Smiley, Barry Bonds and Doug Drabek.

Except for when he won the World Series while managing the Marlins in 1997, the "real" Leyland never was a constant during stints in Florida and Colorado.

The Leyland of yesteryear came to Detroit, which very much explains the Tigers' surprising success.

"In the past, we've needed the kick in the butt that he's not afraid to deliver. And believe me, he's not afraid to kick us in the butt," said Brandon Inge, Detroit's third baseman.

"He treats us like men. He's kept us focused ... and that's been a hard sell to this team over the years. This season, we've always been focused on the next game and that's because of our manager. He doesn't allow us to let up."

Leyland inherited a Tigers' club that won only 71 games last season and was three years removed from a 43-win campaign.

Detroit began last night drawing favorable comparisons to the 1984 Tigers' squad that sailed to the world championship.

Whether these Tigers are championship contenders, Leyland won't yet say.

He knows this much, though ...

"I'm happy because I'm a wild man again," Leyland said. "I'm putting out fires like I did when I took (the Pirates') job, and I know that how you have to do this job."

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