Newly elected HOFer Jim Leyland scared this player 'like a dad'

Former manager Jim Leyland received the call to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, capping off an incredible career spanning four decades. 

Leyland was known for his gruff, to-the-point demeanor and kept most of his players in line with an approach that created fear, much like one's father would. 

While several colorful Leyland tales are floating around, former Detroit Tigers first baseman Sean Casey told one hilarious story in particular back in 2017, highlighting the manager's "dad energy." Spoiler alert: it involves cigarettes. 

After being plunked on the elbow by a pitch, causing his arm to numb, Casey was too afraid to tell Leyland he needed to leave the ballgame, but after being rebuffed by the trainer, he had to face the music. Unfortunately, Casey committed a cardinal sin, interrupting Leyland while he puffed away. 

"Go get some ice on it, and never, ever bother me again when I'm smoking a heater," Casey said on the "Rich Eisen Show." 

Smartly, Casey said he never interrupted Leyland killing a dart in the stadium's bowels again. 

"He was the one guy I was always a little scared of -- great friend of mine, love him to death -- probably my favorite manager," Casey said. "But he had the edge like he's your dad, and you're always a little scared of your dad."

Leyland may have managed tough, but he earned the respect and admiration of his players in the end. That's only a part of what made him successful, however. Leyland had a feel for baseball like few others, knowing which buttons to push, when, and how hard to push them. 

Managing 22 seasons in MLB, Leyland won 1,769 games over stops with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1996), Florida Marlins (1997-1998), Colorado Rockies (1999) and Detroit Tigers (2006-2013). A three-time Manager of the Year Award winner, Leyland led three teams to the World Series, winning it all in 1997 with the Marlins.