Since we've been keeping tabs on the Lou Piniella saga this season (here and here), it just wouldn't be right to let another day go by without mentioning that Piniella decided that yesterday's game against the Braves (Sunday, August 22nd) would be his last as the manager of the Cubs. The team promptly went out and gave him confirmation that there was no point in investing any more into this season, by losing a close one... 16-5.
So, two months behind the rest of Cub nation, Lou Piniella has given up on the team. The only question that remains is: Who is going to manage the team into oblivion next season?
Showing posts with label Piniella. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Piniella. Show all posts
Valentine's Day in Chicago?
Apparently Bobby Valentine is trying to force his hat into the Chicago Cubs managerial ring. Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes that Valentine is interested in the position once Sweet Lou has retired. Valentine joins Bob Brenly and Ryne Sandberg on the list of people who have expressed interest in the job.
Reports from baseball writers have said that Sandberg has a good shot at breaking through for his first managerial position at the big league level in Chicago, but that the Cubs may want to go with a big name that has managerial experience. Regardless, Brenly and Valentine decided to express their interest in the job, and people have decided to tell us about it.
Reports from baseball writers have said that Sandberg has a good shot at breaking through for his first managerial position at the big league level in Chicago, but that the Cubs may want to go with a big name that has managerial experience. Regardless, Brenly and Valentine decided to express their interest in the job, and people have decided to tell us about it.
Sweet Lou Retiring at Season's End
For those surprised to hear on Tuesday that Lou Piniella announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the season, where have you been? If you've been mildly following the Cubs this season, you are pretty sure that Hendry is going to get fired and that Lou had basically given up on the season. Personally, I think it was a genius strategic move by Piniella. They aren't going to fire him during the season now because he's out of there anyway.
The Cubbies responded by putting a whoppin' on the Astros. They were really excited about it for a minute, then they realized that it was just the Astros.
P.S. - Point of personal privilege (which seems odd since it's my blog anyway), as this post is getting published on the blog, I am sitting at my first game in Wrigley Field, and the Cardinals are destroying the Cubs 22-3 in the third inning.... Well, I can hope.
The Cubbies responded by putting a whoppin' on the Astros. They were really excited about it for a minute, then they realized that it was just the Astros.
P.S. - Point of personal privilege (which seems odd since it's my blog anyway), as this post is getting published on the blog, I am sitting at my first game in Wrigley Field, and the Cardinals are destroying the Cubs 22-3 in the third inning.... Well, I can hope.
Piniella Says He Won't Quit
In an article by the Chicago Tribune, Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said that he hasn't given up on the season and plans to stick it out until the end of the year. The article also states that GM Jim Hendry has said repeatedly that he doesn't plan on firing Lou either.
My wife and I made a trip up to Chicago earlier this week, and after listening to Chicago sports talk radio, I'd have to say that I agree: Hendry has no plans on firing Piniella, and Piniella doesn't plan on quitting. Do you remember the movie Snow Dogs? The main character comes in last place, but everybody thinks he was dead, so they're cheering for him anyway when he crosses the finish line. I have a feeling that's kind of how Cub fans are feeling about this season.
Perhaps the best gauge that shows the stagnation in Chi-Town is the fact that nobody seems to care right now what the Cubs are doing, which is unusual. In the area of town that we visited, we actually saw more White Sox hats than Cubs. Utterly, shocking. So buckle up Chicago! It's going to be a bumpy ride!
My wife and I made a trip up to Chicago earlier this week, and after listening to Chicago sports talk radio, I'd have to say that I agree: Hendry has no plans on firing Piniella, and Piniella doesn't plan on quitting. Do you remember the movie Snow Dogs? The main character comes in last place, but everybody thinks he was dead, so they're cheering for him anyway when he crosses the finish line. I have a feeling that's kind of how Cub fans are feeling about this season.
Perhaps the best gauge that shows the stagnation in Chi-Town is the fact that nobody seems to care right now what the Cubs are doing, which is unusual. In the area of town that we visited, we actually saw more White Sox hats than Cubs. Utterly, shocking. So buckle up Chicago! It's going to be a bumpy ride!
Downward Spiral Continues
The Chicago Cubs continued their quest to ensure Lou Piniella doesn't return for another season in Wrigleyville. Carlos Zambrano, having already set the record for the most expensive non-closer in bullpen history, decided to take it another step today... by yelling and almost getting into a fight with 1B Derek Lee in the dugout... in the 1st inning.
In the second round match-up of underachieving teams, Big Z allowed 4 runs in the first inning to the White Sox. Zambrano is known to be a bit of a hot-head and for some reason felt like it was his responsibility to remind everyone of that particular character trait.
Inside sources say the conversation went like this:
In the second round match-up of underachieving teams, Big Z allowed 4 runs in the first inning to the White Sox. Zambrano is known to be a bit of a hot-head and for some reason felt like it was his responsibility to remind everyone of that particular character trait.
Inside sources say the conversation went like this:
Lee: Hey, Carlos! Tough first inning, but don't worry, we'll get them back.
Big Z: What was that, man?
Lee: I said don't worry. We've got your back, Z. We're just glad you're starting again.
Big Z: Oh so you think I suck, momma's boy?
Lee: Wait, what?
Big Z: You heard me. You and your sissy little first base. I will drill you in the head next time we face if you keep disrespecting me.
Lee: Are you nuts?
Big Z: Oh, so now I'm crazy?
Piniella: Holy crap, boys! What the heck is going on here?
Big Z: Pretty boy here was talking smack to me, and I'm gonna punch him in the face!
Lee: Whoa, wait a minute! I was trying to encourage you.
Big Z: Why don't you shut up and start hitting those 6-run dingers again, fool! Or did you forget that I'm the only one that can go yard on this team.
Piniella: All right that's enough! Carlos, hit the showers!
Big Z: What?!? You want to see me in the shower? You sick, freak!
Piniella (on phone to bullpen): Get somebody warming up, Z's lost it again.
Bullpen phone: He was due.
Piniella: I can't wait until they fire me. First Milton, now this. I'm getting too old for this...
Oh, Sweet Lou
Lou Piniella, the captain of the sinking ship in Wrigleyville, was quoted by Paul Sullivan, a beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, as saying, "We've done everything I can humanly do to get this thing turned around. That's all I can do."
As if it wasn't bad enough that the Cubs have acknowledged their underachieving ways this season, apparently Lou is giving up on the team. Worse than the dreaded "vote of confidence," the manager admitting defeat is a sure sign that the Cubs are done. Of course, once again, Lou is simply admitting what the rest of us already know - the Cubs are awful this year, and there's no joy in Wrigleyville for the mighty... well, moderately powerful... all right, fairly mediocre... Cubs have struck out - again, and again, and again.
Reportedly management agrees, as shortly after this quote came out, they released an exclusive statement to BasesLoadedBalk:
As if it wasn't bad enough that the Cubs have acknowledged their underachieving ways this season, apparently Lou is giving up on the team. Worse than the dreaded "vote of confidence," the manager admitting defeat is a sure sign that the Cubs are done. Of course, once again, Lou is simply admitting what the rest of us already know - the Cubs are awful this year, and there's no joy in Wrigleyville for the mighty... well, moderately powerful... all right, fairly mediocre... Cubs have struck out - again, and again, and again.
Reportedly management agrees, as shortly after this quote came out, they released an exclusive statement to BasesLoadedBalk:
We are certain that Lou is doing everything humanly possible with this team, but let's face it - it's just not working. For that reason, we are beginning to search for a new, superhuman manager to take over next season. Rumor has it that a planet far away recently exploded, but someone has escaped and is living in Metropolis. If anyone knows of this intergalactic refuge and how to contact him, please send a note our way.
Cubs, White Sox Finally Agree
The two Chicago teams finally agreed on something this week: they each suck. According to an MLB.com story, the Cubs and White Sox both recognize the fact that they are underachieving this season with the Cubbies 9 games out and the White Sox 10.5 games out so far this season. The article also points out that the Cubs' best pitcher, Carlos Silva, will be on the hill today for the team. Read that sentence again, slowly, and you'll begin to understand why the Cubs have recognized that they are underachieving.
I would start making bold proclamations about the impending apocalypse due to the fact that both teams agree; however, I think they finally just came to terms with what the rest of the world already knows. Managers Lou Piniella and Ozzie Guillen have decided that the battle for Chicago baseball supremacy will not be decided on the field, but, rather, a round robin arm wrestling tournament at Navy Pier.
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