Tuesday, August 24, 2010

A Look at Lou Piniella's Cubs Career

Sweet Lou may have failed in his attempt at a World Series ring in Chicago, but he is a classy future Hall of Fame manager. Piniella's style and personality will never be forgotten by the Cubs' faithful.

"Look," let's take a look back at Lou's career with the Cubs.

October 16, 2006
Lou Piniella agreed to a three year $10 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The deal included a $5 million option for a fourth year. In his press conference Lou said, "We'll dispel these curses in short order.

April 13, 2007
The new Cubs skipper had his first rant with the media after a disappointing 6-5 loss to the Reds. He was not happy with a question about what was going wrong for his team.

June 2, 2007
In perhaps the most famous moment in Piniella's career with the Cubs, he was ejected after throwing his hat and kicking dirt on third base umpire Mark Wegner. The umpire had called Angel Pagan out on a close play at third, but it did appear on the replay that Wegner had made the right call. Lou was suspended four games, but his team turned things around after his ejection.

September 28, 2007
The Chicago Cubs win the NL Central title in their first year under Piniella. The beat the Reds 6-0 while the Padres beat the Brewers to clinch the division on the final weekend of the season.

September 20, 2008
The team beat the Cardinals 5-4 to clinch their second straight Central crown under Lou. However, the team would go three and out in the playoffs.

September 30, 2008
The Cubs excercise the option for the fourth year of Piniella's contract.

November 12, 2008
Sweet Lou was named the NL Manager of the Year, the third time in his career he got the honor and his first award as the Cubs skipper.

June 26, 2009
Piniella pulls Milton Bradley out of a game against the White Sox and sends him home. He gets so mad that he calls his right fielder "A piece of (expletive)."

April 5, 2010
The Cubs fall 16-5 on Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves.

June 25, 2010
Lou sends Carlos Zambrano home after he gets in the face of teammate Derrek Lee during a rant on the South Side of Chicago.

July 20, 2010
Piniella announces that this season will be his last as a big league manager.

August 22, 2010
Lou announces that he will step down after that game in order to spend time with his mother who is ill. His career ends the same way the 2010 season started, a 16-5 loss to Atlanta.

Happy retirement!

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