This season at Comerica Park, iconic Tigers manager Jim Leyland may go through more Nicorette than Red Sox manager Terry Francona plows through Double Bubble.  Michigan’s new smoking ban in public places goes into effect this May.

Since Leyland normally smokes like a chimney, he was asked about the new law on Jim Rome’s radio show.  Leyland seemed unaware of the details of the law, but then promised to obey the law — except for when he doesn’t:

“Is it banned all over? Leyland asked.

When told that Comerica Park certainly would qualify as a public place, Leyland admitted it might create a dilemma.

“Really … then I’ve got a problem,” he laughed. “Houston, we’ve got a problem.”

Leyland did say he would comply with the law.

“I’m not saying that I won’t cheat once in awhile,” he said. “I’m not going to lie.”

But what’s wrong with Michigan lawmakers?  Have they no respect for the man that led the Tigers back to respectability and the 2006 World Series (even if the team did shit the bed once there)? Would it have been that difficult to work in a grandfather clause for the skipper?