EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

BOSTON - It is about 90 minutes before the first pitch and already Fenway Park is buzzing. Fans are strolling in, many running to get a glimpse of batting practice from the front row.

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland is alone in the opposing dugout, puffing on a cigarette, yet as calm as calm can be, enjoying the moment.

"What a night for baseball," said Leyland to an unknown visitor seated about 10 feet away. "This is a special place. I love it here."

Leyland almost landed here after the 1996 season when Kevin Kennedy was fired by Dan Duquette. He came here for a weekend with his wife, Katie, and was offered a contract.

"I really liked it here. I've always loved the atmosphere in Boston. But Florida was also looking for a manager and I was more comfortable with the National League," he said before his club fell to the Red Sox, 7-1. "My wife wasn't happy. She wanted to come to Boston. But things worked out in Florida."

Leyland does not look like your average miracle worker.

At 62, he looks about 10 years older. He always had noticeable, dark bags under his beady eyes. And, of course, God doesn't smoke Lucky Strikes.

But Leyland's work in baseball has been god-like in many ways. Not only did he survive 11 seasons as manager in Pittsburgh, but he actually stood up to Barry Bonds, with audio and video to prove it.

And while he had one of the biggest payrolls in baseball in Florida, he guided the Marlins to a World Series title in only their fifth year of existence, causing purists to throw up in their mouths.

Now it's the Tigers, who were a combined 765-1112 in the 12 years before hiring Leyland.

Unlike the Marlins, this is not one and done. Leyland's Tigers, the American League's representatives in the World Series last fall, come to Boston with the best record in the A.L. Central Division (23-14 after last night) without last year's ace, Kenny Rogers (shoulder), and bullpen specialist Joel Zumaya (tendon surgery).

There was a time baseball might feel for the hurting Tigers.

"Nobody feels bad for us, trust me," said Leyland. "Not anymore."

While the Red Sox have gotten the lion's share of national accolades, due to their starting pitching, the Tigers aren't too shabby in that department again this season. All five starters - Justin Verlander (3-1), Nate Robertson (3-2), Mike Maroth (3-0), Jeremy Bonderman (2-0) and Chad Durbin (3-1) - all have winning records.

"Look at what the Red Sox throw out there every night," said Leyland. "They got (Josh) Beckett, who is light's out. They got (Curt) Schilling, who knows how to pitch. They got the knuckler (Tim Wakefield). They got the sinker guy (Julian Tavarez). And the guy (Daisuke Matsuzaka) tonight, who I've only seen on TV.

"Starting pitching is so important in this game," said Leyland. "We're pretty good in that department, too."

The Tigers have punch in the lineup, too, which includes proven veterans Magglio Ordonez, Sean Casey, Carlos Guillen, Curtis Granderson and, of course, Gary Sheffield.

"Gary comes to play every night," said Leyland. "He cares about winning. I like him a lot. He's really coming on for us."

But as the clock struck 6 p.m. last night, the Red Sox were on Leyland's mind, for obvious reasons.

"What I like about them is they can play for the long ball; they move runners over; they can run; I like what I see," said Leyland. "I saw what they did to the Yankees recently. I don't care if the Yankees are hurting, that's saying something (winning five of six). They are the best team in baseball right now."

Leyland also agreed with one move made by the organization in March.

"Moving (Jonathan) Papelbon back to being the closer was a great move," said Leyland. "Not only is he very good, but you really need that horse in the back of the bullpen. You start blowing a few games and the team loses confidence. Just look at Mariano Rivera and the Yankees."

But enough of the kisses, Leyland is not conceding anything.

"The Yankees are not going away," he said. "And there are teams in Anaheim, Chicago, Minnesota and Oakland, too ... And don't forget about Seattle. They've got some talent.

"What's great is there are a lot of good teams out there," said Leyland. "It's too early to crown anybody. A lot can happen from now until October."

A lot has happened in Detroit under Leyland's short watch, the best of which is baseball is important again in Al Kaline country.

The Tigers have been drawing a respectable 31,000-plus fans per game, up 20 percent from the year before Leyland arrived. In fact, Leyland pointed out the season ticket base was 8,000 before he arrived and stands about 19,000 today.

"The fans have embraced us and that means a lot," said Leyland. "Detroit is a baseball town. They love the game and the history. They're hungry for a winner."

Sean Casey says it is not a coincidence what has happened in Detroit since Leyland's arrival.

"Jim exudes confidence," said Casey, who had nine hits in his last 14 at bats against the Cardinals in last year's World Series. "You have to have talent to win, but there are talented teams out there that don't. Jim wants his player to play the game the way it's supposed to be played."

Like the Red Sox and Yankees, Leyland's goal has been to build a winner ... every year. With all of five starters in the rotation under 30, including two under 25 (Bonderman and Verlander), his goal is no longer in the form of a miracle.

"Let's just say, I think we're going to be around a while," he said.

Bill Burt is executive sports editor of Eagle-Tribune Publishing. You can e-mail him at bburt@eagletribune.com.