Cubs' Piniella unveils retirement plan
Source: Agencies |
July 22, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
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LOU Piniella removed lingering questions about his future as manager of the slumping Chicago Cubs by announcing on Tuesday he would retire after this season.
The Cubs, with a 42-52 record, are fourth in the National League Central Division, 10-1/2 games behind leaders the St Louis Cardinals.
"I couldn't be more appreciative of the Cubs organization for providing me the opportunity to manage this ball club," the 66-year-old 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."
Piniella has been under fire for failing to turn around the fortunes of the Cubs, who opened the year with a US$140 million payroll.
Piniella has 1,826 wins in 23 major league seasons as a manager with the New York Yankees, Cincinnati, Seattle, Tampa Bay and the Cubs. He won the World Series as a manager with Cincinnati after winning two as a player (1977-78, Yankees). He was Manager of the Year three times, including in 2008 with the Cubs.
"Announcing my decision now is what's best for this organization in the long run," he said. "It gives (General Manager) Jim Hendry ample time to find the next manager and he doesn't need to do so in secrecy."
Piniella is in the fourth and final year of his contract with the Cubs. After leading the Cubs to consecutive NL Central titles in 2007-08, Piniella and his team missed the playoffs last year and have struggled again this season with a new owner, the Ricketts family, in charge. The Cubs have gone 102 years without a World Series title.
The Cubs, with a 42-52 record, are fourth in the National League Central Division, 10-1/2 games behind leaders the St Louis Cardinals.
"I couldn't be more appreciative of the Cubs organization for providing me the opportunity to manage this ball club," the 66-year-old 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."
Piniella has been under fire for failing to turn around the fortunes of the Cubs, who opened the year with a US$140 million payroll.
Piniella has 1,826 wins in 23 major league seasons as a manager with the New York Yankees, Cincinnati, Seattle, Tampa Bay and the Cubs. He won the World Series as a manager with Cincinnati after winning two as a player (1977-78, Yankees). He was Manager of the Year three times, including in 2008 with the Cubs.
"Announcing my decision now is what's best for this organization in the long run," he said. "It gives (General Manager) Jim Hendry ample time to find the next manager and he doesn't need to do so in secrecy."
Piniella is in the fourth and final year of his contract with the Cubs. After leading the Cubs to consecutive NL Central titles in 2007-08, Piniella and his team missed the playoffs last year and have struggled again this season with a new owner, the Ricketts family, in charge. The Cubs have gone 102 years without a World Series title.
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