Fastball

Former Manager Jim Leyland, Outfielder Barry Bonds Earn Highest Honor From Pittsburgh Pirates

In addition to going into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, former manager Jim Leyland has also been selected for inclusion into the Pittsburgh Pirates' Hall of Fame. He'll be joined by star outfielder Barry Bonds.

Brady Farkas

Apr 5, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former manager Jim Leyland (left) and current manager Derek Shelton (17) embrace after a ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former manager Jim Leyland (left) and current manager Derek Shelton (17) embrace after a ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Update, 6:25 p.m. ET: The team has also officially announced that Barry Bonds will enter the Hall of Fame this summer. Here's the video of him finding out:

“We built a bond that no way it’s ever going to be broken.”

Barry Bonds talks about his time in Pittsburgh and being a member of the Pirates Hall of Fame.

The most prolific home run hitter in baseball history, Bonds is not in the National Baseball Hall of Fame because of connections to steroid use, so this will undoubtedly be a big honor for him.

He spent seven years with the Pirates, winning two MVP Awards and three Gold Glove Awards. He hit 176 homers for the black and gold.

6:00 p.m. ET: Former legendary manager Jim Leyland, already headed into Cooperstown this summer and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, has also earned the highest honor from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have elected him to the team's Hall of Fame.

Leyland found out about the honor in a great moment, which was captured by Pirates' social media. The ceremony will be in August, after he's inducted into Cooperstown.

“This is something I will cherish forever.”

Being a Pirates Hall of Famer means everything to Jim Leyland.

Leyland managed for 22 years in total, including 11 with the Pirates, which was the longest tenure he had with any organization. While with Pittsburgh, he went 851-863, getting to the playoffs three times. He had an opportunity to manage Barry Bonds early in his career, and helped take the Pirates to the NLCS in 1990, 1991 and 1992.

In addition to Pittsburgh, he managed the Florida Marlins, helping them win the World Series in 1997. He also spent one season with the Colorado Rockies and added eight with the Detroit Tigers. With Detroit, he made the playoffs four times and captured two American League pennants.

Leyland has also served in a managerial capacity for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.

It's not known yet who will be in attendance for the Pirates' Hall of Fame ceremony, but you can imagine it will be a star-studded affair.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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