Leyland Returns to Pittsburgh

Former Pirate Manager Jim Leyland returns to Pittsburgh today for the first time since his emotional farewell in September.

This time, there probably won’t be as many tears, either by Leyland, now manager of the the Florida Marlins, or by the residents of the city he still considers home.

Leyland, who managed the Pirates for 11 seasons, including three division-winning teams, said it was one of the most difficult experiences of his life.

“Baseball, it’s not that hard. Leaving Pittsburgh, that’s been hard,” Leyland said.

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Upset at his hitters for struggling against a pitcher called up from the minor leagues, St. Louis Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa had ordered the clubhouse buffet closed after Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies and Garrett Stephenson.

“It’s not that big a deal--unless you were really hungry,” La Russa said. “What are they going to say? Are they going to file a grievance? I would welcome a player asking me why I was upset.”. . . . The Pirates put center fielder Jermaine Allensworth on the 15-day disabled list because of a fractured metacarpal of his left hand.