Cubs Manager Lou Piniella To Retire Following The 2010 Season
"Sweet Lou" will be hangin' 'em up at the conclusion of this season, according to ESPN.com. The current manager of the Chicago Cubs has managed in the big leagues for 23 years for the Yankees, Reds, Mariners, Devil Rays and Cubs.
Pinella is widely known for his on field arguments with umpires where he would often explode into tantrums. He would kick dirt, throw his hat and even pick up bases and throw them.
"I couldn't be more appreciative of the Cubs organization for providing me the opportunity to manage this ball club," 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 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."
The 66-year-old has enjoyed a long baseball career, both as a player and as a manager.
As a player, Pinella won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1969 as a member of the Kansas City Royals. He made the American League All Star team in 1972.
As a manager, he won the Manager of the Year award three times (1995 and 2001 with the Mariners and 2008 with the Cubs). He won a World Series with the Reds in 1990 and managed the National League All Star Team in 1991.
The baseball world will miss "Sweet Lou." Even though he has calmed down over the past few seasons, he will always be remembered as a man who always lost his temper in an effort to ignite his team.
