Lou Piniella wants to give the Cubs time to plan by announcing his plans to retire at season's end. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
Lou Piniella announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of the 2010 season, ending his four-year run in Chicago and his managerial career.
"I couldn't be more
appreciative of the Cubs organization for providing me the opportunity
to manage this ballclub," Piniella said in a statement. "I've had four
wonderful years here that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
I've grown to love the city and the fans but at my age (67 at the end of
the season) it will be time to enter a new phase in my life. It will
enable me to spend more valuable time with my family -- my wife, my kids
and my grandchildren. God has blessed me to have been able to work this
many years in the game that I love.
"Why make this announcement now? Jim Hendry asked me in recent weeks regarding my future with the team and I told him I had made the decision to retire at the end of the season. Since my decision has now been made, I don't want to mislead anyone about my intentions when asked in the future.
"But more importantly, announcing my decision now is what's best for this organization in the long run. It gives Jim Hendry ample time to find the next manager and he doesn't need to do so in secrecy. The Cubs are one of the greatest organizations in baseball. I care very deeply for this organization and want nothing more than for it to experience present and long-term success. I'm proud of our accomplishments during my time here and this will be a perfect way for me to end my career.
"But let me make one thing perfectly clear: our work is far from over. I want to keep the momentum going more than anything else and win as many games as we can to get back in this pennant race. I'm going to give every effort I have to help this team win and that will remain my sole focus through the rest of the season.:
The New York Daily News first reported Piniella's decision.
While Piniella gave hints that this would be his final year in an interview with two Cubs beat reporters two weeks ago in Phoenix, he maintained at that time that no final decision had been made, but that Chicago would be his final stop.
"I'm not going anymore," he said. "When I'm done here, I'm going home. I'm going to enjoy my family, enjoy my friends and do things I haven't been able to do for the past 50 years of my life. Im going to enjoy myself a little bit. I got myself a boat last year. It's sitting over there at the marina. My kids use it, which is good. But yeah, I'm not going anywhere. When I'm finished here, I'm going home and that's it."
Piniella's run in Chicago is unlikely to end on a good note, with his team out of contention and his goal of winning a championship unfulfilled. He has been criticized this year for lacking intensity and seeming remote on the bench.
"You know what, truthfully, the media's been very fair to me," he said in Phoenix. "I get some pot shots from time to time. But that's to be expected. But I've enjoyed this whole experience. I really have. And it's been a challenge. It hasn't been easy. This hasn't been easy. I was told coming in by some good friends that this would be an experience of a great magnitude. And they basically were right."
OK...laugh if you want to, but, hire Da Coach, Mike Ditka. He doesn't need to know everything there is about baseball, but he can inspire these overpaid prima donnas that are playing for the Cubs. Maybe a few clipboards thrown to the ground and remember, if they ever want to have a regular singer for the seventh inning stretch, he's the man, he's proved it!
Again the last place Cubs found a way to steal the press from the first place Sox.
is Lee Elia still around?
I don't blame him one iota. What a helluva mess to deal with -- from one flew over the cuckoo's nest to ridiculous salaries for non-performing players.
managers,even the best or worst, are only responsible for a few games a year ,and yes that can be instrumental. but, when you are given a roster of over the hill veterans, too young relivers, and terrible fill in players , it just doesn't matter. Lou has been asleeep at the switch, maybe EVEN COMATIZED, AS I DIDN'T KNOW THE SCORE . But the real villian here is the G.M who is pitiful. i read in article that other G.Ms like to deal with him . Who wouldn't? Look at the players he signed and gave long term no trade contracts. Lou has been classy. He never took a shot at Hendry. I hope he does as he shuts the door.the four of us couldn't win a title with the assembled cast!
Just put a department store mannequin in the dugout complete with a Cubs jersey, it will be alot cheaper.
Yeah, bring in Ryno and watch him get eaten up like Lou and his predecessors...
Who you crappin? Lou retired last year, and he's just been playin' out the string.
As for Ryno, that's just nuts. He's not ready for the Bigs. Remember, he was the manager of that Peoria team that had that fight in Dayton where the pitcher threw the ball at the fans in retaliation - if he can't handle a Single-A team with mental issues, how's he gonna deal with Big Z and Soriano? Plain and simple, the guy needs more experience.
Wanna piss off the Sox fans? Offer Joey Cora the job. He should have gotten the gig in Seattle. And he's ready...more ready than Ryno is. But I'd really like Girardi - but who leaves the Yankees for the Cubs?
Put a cardboard cut out of Blago in the dug-out.
OK, Sullivan, are you proud you had the story and sat on it? And the New York Daily News beat you to it? You guys are so buffet-imbedded, it's sickening. Hope your not having any oil spill-related problems at the shrimp cocktail table. Between you and K.C. Johnson...But I guess that's to be expected here on the junior circuit of Chicago.
I say give Zambrano a shot as the skipper. Fukudome can play Gilligan.
The Cubs season is already over so why wait Lou, leave now. Nothing you do now till the end of the season will matter.
Does the Cubs manager really matter? Does winning and losing? I mean, come on, one of the worst franchises in all of sports, and the icon for being the ultimate loser, and fans trip over themselves in Cubs love. People must love this "Lovable Loser" stuff, and no one person as a manager is going to make them into a winner. The Cubs have a loser mentality, and fans really don't care (they would show up if a high school girls softball team wore the uniform). I gave up on expecting the Cubs to win, and just enjoy the game for what it is: as a past time and entertainment. Besides, the loser mentality all of us Cubs fans have is a bond; sort of like loving the fat, unattractive child in the family who probably won't go far in life. Dream the impossible dream.
"The Cubs are one of the greatest organizations in baseball." What?????? Old man must have been thinking of the Cardinals, Dodgers or Yankees, because no baseball team from chicago should even be considered as one of the greatest organizations. Great organizations win with consistency over time. the Sox and Cubs don't even come close.
How many managers does Hendry get to hire? I thought the rule is 2, then your fired if the second doesn't work out.
Is Don Zimmer still alive?
What about Jack McKeon?
THANK U GOD.AGAIN.. THANK U GOD
No more "Look.. what do u want me to do?" 'What am I supposed to do" Answers.BYE LOU
Why wait till the end of the year,...won't matter anyway. Take the rest of the summer off Lou,...Santo can handle it from the broadcast booth
Ryno?!?! LMOA... what a bunch of clueless people on this thread. You don't even know the score of the games let alone chiming in on a new manager.
The Cubs organization runied Lou like they alomost did to Dusty.
Didn't he retire 20 years ago.
"If you want to see me whip Lou Piniella's a$$ give me a hell yeah!!"
It's obvious that he made this decision a few years ago...
Toodle-Lou : - )
I'd be the perfect manager. The Cubs are one big circus and I'd fit right in, and I'm a Chicago icon.
Folks,
Just heard Ricketts make it official at their presser this afternoon...he has decided to keep Jim Hendry as the GM of this team for the rest of this year and all of next year. This team is now finished and done. You guys want to make a statement, Cubs and non-Cubs fans, stop going to the games, stop buying the concessions and not park there and don't buy the merchandise and stop supporting this team and the Ricketts. The Ricketts have officially lost their minds, especially the frat boy himself, Tom Ricketts. Just awful!
A celebrity guest manager each series.
Yet another great manager ruined by to many day games, bad GM decisions, and loyal fans who are to busy talking on their cell phones to know what inning it is.
DO NOT hire Ryno, or Stone. Both bad ideas.
Stop playing so many day games. There is a reason almost every other team in baseball plays at night.
Fill the roster from the minor's not the free agent market.
Tear down the old park and build a new one. That place and its facilities for the fans and the players are a joke.
Until they do these things, they will not win no matter who they hire.
I'd love to be the next Cubs manager, when none of the players listen to me I can sit and endlessly babble to the water cooler.
Please please PLEASE do NOT hire Lou as an analyst then ESPN baseball would totally suck....oh wait.
Ronnie Woo Woo rumored to be front-runner as replacement!
God Bless you Lou. I hope your remaining days are happy, and you do not have to put up with a bunch of idiots like you have the last four years.
Meet the new Hanes underwear spokesman. "I change my lineups like I change my underwear."
The only person that really makes sense in filling Lou's shoes is, Macho Man Randy Savage.
Bring back Jim Riggleman for 1 year then Ryno will be ready to take over the Cubs.
He is better suited for the American league anyway. Bring on RYNO!
How about Ron Gardenhire of the Minnesota Twins? This guy wins with a couple of stars, but the rest are patch-up players and in a mid-sized market. He teaches the game to young players and they usually execute very well. He knows how to win and how to beat the White Sox (Sox fans would go berserk). Gardenhire will not put up with head cases like Zambrano, and will get the prima donnas playing again. Chicago may not have the fishing in Minnesota, but has everything else and this guy deserves to play in a major league market and not the obscurity of Twinkieland. BTW, I love Lou Piniella as a player and as a younger coach. I wish him well.
Wow, its about time dude, thats amazing. That oldster needs to go.
www.privacy-tools.be.tc
Watch out Emmitt Smith, Lou will be gunning for your job. "Your beard is weird."
Paul on July 20, 2010 1:30 PM
RHYNO! RHYNO!
--------------
Nothing like a Kool-Aid drinking Cubs fan, who never experienced a lifetime World Series championship to pick a former Cubs player, who himself never even particiapted in a World Series.
Give Lou some much needed parting gifts, some Grecian Formula and a new Gillette Fusion razor.
Actually they should have made the move at the allstar break and bring in the new manager so he can evaluate the team for next season. After his introduction he then can go to the bench and wake Sweet Lou up and tell that his boat is waiting!
If the Ricketts have any stones, they will come after JH. This is a kind way to fire Lou. Nothing more. And it is the right move about two years too late. No better than Dusty. In fact Dusty did more with less.
Take Lou behind the barn and shoot him, 2 go out but only 1 comes back.
They just figured this out? Piniella had already announced this last year, and he has proven that this year was actually his last year.
oh yeah on July 20, 2010 2:57 PM
Please hire Steve Stone.
______________________
LOL.
That was a joke, correct?
Anne=--His name was NOT DeAngelo. It was Frankie Pantangelo
Once Lou goes then Brett Favre will still be the champion of ugliest grey beard in sports.
Good for Lou, granted the Cubs haven't won or made the series in so long.. given the organization, can't blame the players or coach for that... its just the way it is.. just one of those guarantees... but maybe, JUST maybe, it will spark something in the players... Do It For Lou!
why wait?take hendry and rothchild with you.ricketts next move will be sandberg with zero personality for the next decade.but all you cubs fans keep buying tickets so you can sing the 7th inning stretch,show your kids wrigley and get so hammered you don't know who won.
Harold Baines makes as much sense as Ryne Snoreberg! Neither one has an ounce of personality.
"The New York Daily News first reported Piniella's decision."
The NYDN scooped the Chicago Tribune, the previous owner of the Cubs?
Ain't that a kick in the crotch.
Oh, well.... Whatayagonnado?
Don't even mention Stoney, he became a traitor the minute he started doing Sox games.
Hendry needs to be fired just for the fact he brought back Howry.
They're really, really behind you around here...85% of the managers are managing, the other 15% are lining up for Lou's job!
WOLFMAN1949, I AM SORRY AND IT WILL NOT HAPPEN LIKE THAT AGAIN, I STICK TO THE POINT, IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS RETIREMENT CAME DOWN, PLAYERS HAVE TO PERFORM OR ELSE WHO HAS TO LEAVE OR TAKE THE HEAT--IT IS THE MANAGER--YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR PLAYERS.
Here we go again. Time to hear about the next "great" manager the Cubbies "deserve". How about concentrating on the quality of players the Cubs get for once.
Good luck to Lou, I knew all those extra day games conflicted with his prodigious drinking schedule.
Thank god LOU .. You were 1/2 the reason we lost those 1 run games .. You never bunted or suicided never. Leaving pitchers in to bat with the tying or winning run on , and then leaving them in there the next inning when they gave up the eventual winning .. You never wanted to play Colvin ..
Now you have been and its worked every time. Where were you LOU .. What game were you playing ???
Hire Brenly (*He knows the team seeing them everyday) or
Valentine or Girardi... NOT boring Sandberg (no big time experience no ring nothing)
SAY IT AIN'T TRUE, LOU!! I'm ol'skool and I've always liked Lou. He just was handcuffed by the "less than average" players he was given. Hendry is the one that needs to GO!!
Go cardinals.
The Chicago Cubs:
Enough to drive even an all-time great from his own career.
Please hire Steve Stone.
Fire Hendry and name Rocky Wirtz as GM. He's the only one who's had success lately.
Lou Pinella was the best manager ever for this loser team. The Cubs will never win a world series, not ever. The reason is that Cubs fans have always been losers and as my dear old dad used to say, "Winners never lose and Losers never win." Loser like to lose. Don't know why, but that's just the way it is.
"Mike on July 20, 2010 2:33 PM
When Hendry got Aramis Ramirez, the Cub fans said "Who?". When got Bradly Cub fans said "Yes!". You Cub fans are worse than those fickled, ungrateful, never happy, Cardinal Fans."
Hmm....I'm not really sure how you came to this summarization. But you're way off base.
The Bears, Bulls, and Cubs all need to do what they've needed to do for years and years and that's a total housecleaning, starting at the very top. McCaskeys, Rickettes, Forman, Paxson, Angelo, Lovie Smith and Jim Hendry ALL need to go.
hey "moneyneck" get real. EVERY fan base does the same thing nowpadays- love him today, fire them tomorrow. It is like that EVERYWHERE including in Chicago. Remember when the Sox were struggling earlier, fire Ozzie!!!
Fans are never patient and maybe they should not be too patient.
"OZZIE GUILLEN" - "great" post(joking). It has NOTHING to do with the subject. Why not try to make an intelligent post?
I love to read blogs concerning sports subjects but way too many younger fans use the place to fire dumb comments and barbs at each other.
Ryno isn't even close to being ready to manage this club. He needs a good 2-3 more years of minor league managerial seasoning before you can even vastly consider him for this job. Look, it's great that Lou finally realized his time here was up BUT he wasn't the only one who should be held responsible for this mess. That you blame one man and that's GM Jim Hendry. He saddled the organization with bloated contracts, no trade clauses and players who don't give a rat's ass about giving it their all on the field but just waiting for the Ricketts to sign their checks and calling it a day. Lou lost this team a few months ago and they haven't been the same since. I wouldn't be surprised if Ricketts decided to pull a double here and get rid of Hendry today too, but the chances of that are slim to none at this time. After the season, oh hell yeah Ricketts will bounce Hendry and get the people he wants in there to bring back some form of respectibility to this laughingstock of an organization once again. Good luck to Lou and they can't bounce that idiot Hendry fast enough. He's on borrowed time.
I'd rather see Ryno as GM when Hendry is shown the door. Maybe Greg Maddux as manager, he knows how to work with players.
Steve Stone? What are you drink'n. Not only has this guy never even coached in the minors, he can even bunt with out hitting himself in the mouth. I bet you wanted Lou 5 years ago.
The next change the Ricketts' should consider is LEAVING the city and building a new stadium. I know that will never happen, but it's a nice thought.
Ahhh! The Cubs ruin another great manager. Seems everyone who comes here is so highly regarded and provided some top talent, and just a few years later, everyone cycles out broken and dejected, both on a managerial and player level. They then move on and again attain a highly regarded status with another organization. Let's bring Dusty back, we'll ruin him again!
Should have brought in Joey G. from the start instead of Uncle Lou! Adios Lou!
When Hendry got Aramis Ramirez, the Cub fans said "Who?". When got Bradly Cub fans said "Yes!". You Cub fans are worse than those fickled, ungrateful, never happy, Cardinal Fans.
Lou had a great run...unlike many of the bozo's on here, I enjoyed Lou's time in Chicago. He brought 3 winning seasons, more than you can say for any manager in decades. The Cubs need more than just a managerial change to be competitive, let's see if they actually make the moves they need to...
Ha, 'bout friggin' time. This guy is a loser who can't enforce fundamental baseball.
Let's hope the Scrubs regurgitate some former winning manager to revitalize the team--how about bringing back Jim Frey? Valentine, he'll need more than a disguise to get out of this town.
Sandberg, the obvious choice but that ain't going to happen.
Go Sox!
The next manager should be Bobby V., he's someone that could bring a needed energy and someone that I believe is hungry to get back in and has been successful.
A lot of people are quick to blame Pinella for the Cubs woes, but The guy can only manage with what he's been given to work with...the front office has failed this team miserably, they've handed out some horrible contracts...and built around players that should never have been built around....shelling out insane money for Soriano, paying Zambrano #1 ace money, Bringing in Milton Bradley?? these are just a few of the questionable moves Hendry has made the last several years...ill be more happy to see Hendry go, then Lou!
Note to Headry, Daley, and Weis:
Oprah and Lou know its their time to move on. When will the three of you going to realize this? And Daley. Are you the same age as Lou?
Sandberg, Brenly or Torre will all be nice to choose from. On thing is for sure: under Sandberg, no player gets a free ride. He is a fundamentals guy and there will be no more base running gaffes, lack of hustle or heartless play. He will eat their lunch, which is why he has won at every level on his way up...he did it the right way and deserves his shot.
Steve Stone is terrible...there is a reason he's in the booth and never been asked to be a part of an organization. He's a makes all the obvious observations that any baseball fan would know.....please stop making yourself look stupid and saying stupid things like "Hire Steve Stone"....thanks
Thank freaking God it's about time, was waiting to hear this announcement. I won't miss Lou at all. What would make this even better is Hendry retiring too. As much as I really like Ryno I don't want him to be the next manager. As much crap as Lou had to put up with I'd hate to see a Hall of Famer like Ryno have to put up with the same garbage. Don't know who the next manager will be but I hope it isn't another old fart too stubborn and set in his ways.
Now if we can get rid of the Cub's real problem, they will be on their way to a World Series. Who might that be? None other than Hendry !! You know the guy that is paying a player, $14 million a year, to hit .270, when he is not warming the bench!! The same guy that signs to an $8-$9 Million contract, a malcontent and another one to an $18 Million a year, who can't pitch his way out of a paper bag.
I would have loved to see Lou Piniella manage without the headache, known as " Henry "!! I am fairly certain, the Cubs would have made it to the World Series, had Hendry not been there.
So long. Lou. You were a heck of a player and a darn good manager. it's too bad you were strapped with Hendry!!
Lou was always too good for the woebegone franchise that is the Cubs. He took the team to first ever back-to-back division titles but most fans wanted to fire him a year later.
Cubs 02:
100% correct
I really dont want Sandberg right now.. Brenly has watched the team all year.. Knows whats needed and has a world series ring.. If he were free to say what he would like on the air , alot of other people would want him.. I just dont want Sanberg right now. The onlt other person is the current manager of the Yankees Joe Girardi .
Now that Lou is finally suiciding and bunting and the team showing life .. Where have you been LOU .. Why not do this all year in those early 1 run looses when the pitchers were doing so good..
Step down now, Lou. Who needs the aggravation?
Trammell can be named interim manager and easily guide this underachieving team to 90 losses.
Cubs 02:
100% correct
I really dont want Sandberg right now.. Brenly has watched the team all year.. Knows whats needed and has a world series ring.. If he were free to say what he would like on the air , alot of other people would want him.. I just dont want Sanberg right now. The onlt other person is the current manager of the Yankees Joe Girardi .
Now that Lou is finally suiciding and bunting and the team showing life .. Where have you been LOU .. Why not do this all year in those early 1 run looses when the pitchers were doing so good..
Please get STEVE STONE for 2011.
OH COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!!!! CUBS WILL NEVER WIN THE SERIES!
PUT SANTO AT THIRD...LEO AS MANAGER....OH TRADE THE WHOLE TEAM NOW AND DEMOLISH WRIGLEY...AND START OVER!
Don't bring Ryno up yet. This team has some bad years ahead. Bring him up in 3-4 years once we've rebuilt. Otherwise, he'll be fired by that point as the result of no farm system and aging players.
The real reasons that the Cubs are so bad this year are 1) the inability of Ramirez and Lee to hit a baseball, and 2) lousy bullpen. Yes, Lou has made errors, but the primary reasons are above.
you cub fans??? kill me. when lou came to town you thought he was the second coming of christ. now after four years hes a bum. remember dusty? same thing. by the way how is dusty doing in cincy?
Giradi is the man for the job!
Please don't let Hendry make the decision. Mr Ricketts take a clue and show Hendry the door and start over. I'm afraid Hendry would hire one of his "old buddies" and we are back to square one. One down and one to go...it's a start.
So long, Sweet Lou...Thanks for your time with the Cubs. Bring up Ryne Sandberg..his time is NOW! It's no brainer!
My pick for manager is the only person in the organazation besides Pinella to guide a team to a World Series.I am talking about Bob Brenly.If he will even consider taking the job with the bone head we have for a G.M.
cubs? dig up the body of dourocher! put him on the bench!
WHITE SOX BASEBALL--ITS BLACK AND WHITE. CUBS BASEBALL--1908 AND WAY TOO LATE.
Now Please listen Mr Ricketts!!!
Do not, I repeat do not hire Ryne Sandberg as the next manager. The Cubs have a history of making the popular move instead of the correct move. This has lead to years and years of dissappointment. Sandberg doesn't have the knowledge or the game time experience required to head up an MLB team.
No doubt about it. Ryno!!!
Thanks for nothing, Lou. And Hendry needs to go, too. Jeez, just clean up the entire front office and FINALLY get some competent people in there who want to win. This organisation has been a disgrace for too long.
To the Ricketts': I realize this is your first year. But the only so-called "fan experience" I care about is neither neat urinals, nor new sky boxes, nor certain foods, nor certain beverages (ok I don't mind the beer), nor stupid songs, nor new advertisment signs. The only fan experience I'm interested in is WINNING. Thank you for taking note.
Reminds me of the scene in "Godfather II" when DiAngelo was supposed to testify against Michael and the Italian brother 'from the old country' walked into the Sentate chambers. "I love Michael. He never made me do anything I didn't want to do". And then DiAngelo took a bathtub dive.
1-800-LOU TO GO, LOU DO IS A TALL COOL ONE, HE IS THE TALL COOL ONE AND IS READY TO PLEASE.
Buck Showalter!!
Why are people so enamored with Ryno as the next manager? It doesn't matter who's managing. The players on the field stink. Ryno can't turn chickenish into chicken salad. Cubs need to stop signing marginal talent to insane contracts (Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley, Zambrano, etc.). That's like the Mount Rushmore of bad contracts.
Note to Trib: Don't you people have copy editors any more? It's MANAGER, not MANGER.
Sox winning the series this year... don't hold your breath.. the season still has alot of games left to play
Lou, you will definitely be missed. You are the best manager the Cubs has ever had, bar none. Best of luck the remainder of your tenure as manager, and hopefully your brilliance and management will be carried forward in some capacity in the Cubs organization. Best of Luck to you and your family and may God Bless you.
NO RHYNO! NO RHYNO! The Cubs need someone to can control players. Rhyno can not. He couldn't even control a minor league player in Peoria. Wait to see who else gets fired this year.
Bring back Lee Elia
Lou "retired" before the season even began!
He wants to "keep the momentum going"??? I will have what he is drinking!
1-800-LOU-TO-GO
When does Hendry make the same announcement?
What about Brenly upstairs and Ryno managing?
Is there an editor in the house...?
RHYNO! RHYNO!