Lou Piniella's Retirement a Chicago White Sox Fan's Perspective

In a season where it could not have come any sooner for the Cubs, manager Lou Piniella retired after yesterday's game, leaving behind a long career both as player and manager.

For Cubs fans, this was the biggest news they have indulged in practically since opening day.

Take the Red Line a few stops south to U.S. Cellular field, and you will find that most White Sox fans probably have not even heard that Piniella retired, given the latest landslide their ball club has taken.

Why should they care, given that the Cubs are the sworn enemy of White Sox nation?

Why? Because Lou Piniella was a major facet to the game, and not for his legacy with that commercialized team from the north.

The three-time World Series champion should be remembered for his incredible years with the Reds and the Mariners and not for his half-conscious days as the Cubs manager, where he was a dismal 0-6 in the postseason.

For a Sox fan, seeing Piniella fail every game in the postseason as a Cub was a delight.

In 2008, witnessing their sweep at the hands of Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers came with almost as much excitement as the White Sox themselves clinching the AL Central.

But, for long-time baseball fans, when thinking of Lou Piniella, they think of that 116-win season. They think of that 1990 Cincinnati Reds team who, against all odds, won a World Series Championship against the heavily-favored Oakland Athletics.

And in perhaps his greatest contribution to the White Sox fanbase, Piniella teased the rivals from the north with the thought that they just might win a title after 100 years of losing.

Lou Piniella, thanks for the good times, the historic memories, and the continuation of a curse that those of us from the South Side will worship forever.