ducks
10-16-2006, 02:43 PM
Piniella to manage Cubs
By BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer
October 16, 2006
AP - Oct 16, 3:10 pm EDT
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Lou Piniella was expected to be introduced Tuesday as the new manager of the Chicago Cubs, a baseball source told The Associated Press on Monday.
Piniella received a three-year contract, according to another AP source. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the hiring has not been announced. The hiring was first reported by ESPN radio.
Piniella led the 1990 Cincinnati Reds to the World Series championship and replaces Dusty Baker, who was not brought back after a 66-96 season that ended a four-year contract.
Piniella spent last season in the Fox broadcast booth and has 19 years of managerial experience with four teams -- Tampa Bay, Seattle, the New York Yankees and the Reds. Several teams had sought to hire him for next season.
Known for his fiery style and outbursts with umpires -- in which he would throw his cap, fling a base or kick dirt on the plate -- the Cubs hope Piniella can revitalize a team that has not reached the World Series since 1945.
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Joe Girardi, fired by the Florida Marlins after one season and a former Cubs player, also interviewed for the job.
A Cubs spokeswoman declined comment Monday. Piniella's agent Alan Nero and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry were not immediately reachable for comment.
The 63-year-old Piniella has a record of 1,519-1,420 and was honored as AL manager of the year in 1995 and 2001.
He became the Cubs' top choice over Girardi, who had two different playing stints with the team that he broke in with in 1989.
The Cubs nearly reached the World Series three years ago, getting within five outs before a collapse against Florida in the NLCS. But Baker, another successful veteran manager, couldn't get the team back to the playoffs.
The hiring of Piniella will be the latest move in a Cubs' overhaul that began two weeks ago when chief executive Andy MacPhail resigned the day before Baker's contract was not renewed.
The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908.
Piniella began managing in 1986 with the Yankees, where he lasted three years. He managed the Reds from 1990-92, leading them to a World Series championship in his first season. During his time in Cincinnati, he got national attention for a clubhouse wrestling match with reliever Rob Dibble.
From there it was on to a long run in Seattle from 1993-02. His 2001 team went 116-46, but lost in the ALCS to the Yankees. His 1995 and 2000 Mariners teams also were beaten in the league championship series. During his decade in Seattle, the Mariners won at least 90 games four times.
Piniella won 93 games his final season with the Mariners in 2002 before heading home to his native Tampa to try and build a winner for the long-suffering Devil Rays.
But ultimately he had a difference of opinion with ownership and questioned management's commitment to winning before the team bought out the final year of his four-year contract.
Piniella had an 18-year career as a player, 11 of them with the Yankees, and was a career .291 hitter.
By BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer
October 16, 2006
AP - Oct 16, 3:10 pm EDT
More Photos
Lou Piniella was expected to be introduced Tuesday as the new manager of the Chicago Cubs, a baseball source told The Associated Press on Monday.
Piniella received a three-year contract, according to another AP source. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the hiring has not been announced. The hiring was first reported by ESPN radio.
Piniella led the 1990 Cincinnati Reds to the World Series championship and replaces Dusty Baker, who was not brought back after a 66-96 season that ended a four-year contract.
Piniella spent last season in the Fox broadcast booth and has 19 years of managerial experience with four teams -- Tampa Bay, Seattle, the New York Yankees and the Reds. Several teams had sought to hire him for next season.
Known for his fiery style and outbursts with umpires -- in which he would throw his cap, fling a base or kick dirt on the plate -- the Cubs hope Piniella can revitalize a team that has not reached the World Series since 1945.
ADVERTISEMENT
Joe Girardi, fired by the Florida Marlins after one season and a former Cubs player, also interviewed for the job.
A Cubs spokeswoman declined comment Monday. Piniella's agent Alan Nero and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry were not immediately reachable for comment.
The 63-year-old Piniella has a record of 1,519-1,420 and was honored as AL manager of the year in 1995 and 2001.
He became the Cubs' top choice over Girardi, who had two different playing stints with the team that he broke in with in 1989.
The Cubs nearly reached the World Series three years ago, getting within five outs before a collapse against Florida in the NLCS. But Baker, another successful veteran manager, couldn't get the team back to the playoffs.
The hiring of Piniella will be the latest move in a Cubs' overhaul that began two weeks ago when chief executive Andy MacPhail resigned the day before Baker's contract was not renewed.
The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908.
Piniella began managing in 1986 with the Yankees, where he lasted three years. He managed the Reds from 1990-92, leading them to a World Series championship in his first season. During his time in Cincinnati, he got national attention for a clubhouse wrestling match with reliever Rob Dibble.
From there it was on to a long run in Seattle from 1993-02. His 2001 team went 116-46, but lost in the ALCS to the Yankees. His 1995 and 2000 Mariners teams also were beaten in the league championship series. During his decade in Seattle, the Mariners won at least 90 games four times.
Piniella won 93 games his final season with the Mariners in 2002 before heading home to his native Tampa to try and build a winner for the long-suffering Devil Rays.
But ultimately he had a difference of opinion with ownership and questioned management's commitment to winning before the team bought out the final year of his four-year contract.
Piniella had an 18-year career as a player, 11 of them with the Yankees, and was a career .291 hitter.