Question about the Leyland days

[theox50]

Hello all. I've been a Pirates fan all my life but I've only been a really avid baseball fan for the last ten years, so I'm still learning. I seem to remember that during the early 90's, Leyland would sometimes put Jose Lind in the 8th slot of the order with "Spanky" LaVallier or Don Slaught (i.e. the catcher) batting 7th. Given that most of the time the slower catchers are placed in that 8th spot, I was wondering what was Leyland's strategy? Did it have to do with Lind's speed, or was it more of a hitting thing?

Just curious. Thanks.