Tigers' Leyland: 'I'm old but I'm not grumpy'

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland is 67 years old, making him old enough to be some of his players' grandfather. He can also come across as crusty, at times, particularly to those who do not know him well.

So how does Leyland relate to his younger players?

"I think I relate sometimes with the younger players better than the younger players relate to themselves," Leyland said. "There's a whole bunch of people in our families. My dad was one of 16, my wife is one of 11 and I'm one of seven. You learn how to deal with people. I don't think that's really a problem for me."

Leyland then stopped and smiled.

"I am just grumpy once in a while because you have to be grumpy or sometimes you guys (the news media) don't get the message," Leyland said. "So everybody thinks I'm a grumpy old man. I'm old but I'm not grumpy."