Can anyone blame him?
Lou Piniella announced he'll retire after the season. He should have done it sooner, after last year. Now the final 70 games are like a prison sentence. Wait....every season with the Cubs is a prison sentence. Even the good ones because you already know how it's going to end.
Lou's got a solid managerial resume. World Series ring, record for most wins in a season (116), three manager of the year awards. He's had a nice career in the game. But even Lou Piniella can't do the impossible: bring a championship to the Cubs.
Being a proven manager is one of the criteria for winning with the Cubs. Lou even had a pretty damn good team to work with there, for a while.
Lou with the Cubs:
2007 - Won division, 85-77. Good first season. Got the fans believing, got their hopes way up. Then Arizona pulled out the brooms on them in the NLDS. But hope was still high.
2008- "The year," according to Cub fans. Went 97-65. Defended Central title. Made consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since they last won the World Series, 1907-1908. It was all lining up to "reverse the curse." Wrong. The heavily-favored Cubs were again swept out of the NLDS. Piniella made some debated pitching moves and rotation decisions in that series.
That was the one shot Piniella had with the Cubs. Last year, the Cubs finished just above .500 and missed the playoffs. Many could see the writing on the wall for Piniella. But he was brought back for another season.
It was apparent to me starting in 2009, Piniella just didn't seem interested anymore. He knew they didn't have as good of team, with as good of shot, as the previous year. The fallout from the 2008 season had taken it's toll on the now 66-year-old Piniella. Dealing with the fans and media in that city suffocates the life out of someone in his position. Add players like Zambrano to the mix, I'd be surprised if Piniella isn't crazy by now.
So now in 2010 the Cubs are 43-52. No hope for rest of the way. Lou's seen enough. He couldn't get it done for the Cubs and their suffocating fans. I'm not sure anybody can. And it will be a while before the get someone as qualified as Piniella.
Photo credit: Chicago Sun-Times
What a good baseball guy. One career highlight you left out, getting in a fight with Rob Dibble. Classic! I think all x-ballplayers and current ballplayers can agree that Lou is the kind of coach you would want to play for. A hard ass, who pulls no punches, and always sticks up for his players. But you are right Z, can't win in that place. I work with a guy who drank a 12 pack with Peter Rickets last month, and he said that they will win because the ownership actually wants to win now. We will see. I wont hold my breath.
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