Tigers manager Jim Leyland tends to tear up a bit when the subject of utility man Don Kelly comes up.

And Thursday's first-inning home run was no exception.

“I’m real proud of him. It couldn't happen to a better kid. To have this moment in Yankee Stadium for Donnie Kelly, you’ve got your stars, but to happen to a guy like this, that’s real special,” Leyland said, tearing up. “That’s a memory he’ll have. Cabrera and those guys are going to have millions of memories, but this is one that Donnie Kelly will have forever. It’s a real special moment.”

For Kelly — who said the time between Thursday's deciding Game 5 of the American League Division Series and Friday's workout prior to the AL Championship Series in Arlington, Texas, was a blur — the moment was real when it happened.

"The thing that I remember about it is hitting it, and once I knew it was gone, I came around second base, and it was like the whole stadium was silent, except for the Tigers family section," Kelly said.