Manager Lou Piniella #41 of the Chicago Cubs calls for a new pitcher during a game against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field on July 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Astros defeated the Cubs 4-3 in 12 innings.
After all the wins, all the losses, and all those arguments, Lou Piniella clearly felt it was time to leave.
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Saying the final goodbye after a half-century in baseball, that was the hard part.
"I cried a little bit after the game. You get emotional. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be,'' the Chicago Cubs manager said yesterday, his eyes tearing up again and his voice cracking.
"This will be the last time I put on my uniform,'' he said.
The 66-year-old Piniella announced before the Cubs' game against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field that he was retiring immediately after it was over and planning to spend more time with his ailing mother.
"My mom needs me home and that's where I'm going,'' Piniella said.
The Cubs gave up 11 runs over the final three innings to lose, 16-5.
"It's a good day to remember and also it's a good day to forget,'' Piniella said.
Third base coach Mike Quade was promoted to interim manager for the rest of the season, getting the nod over bench coach Alan Trammell. Speculation is rampant that former Cubs star Ryne Sandberg, Chicago's Triple A manager, will be hired after the season.
From the start, it was an emotional day for a man known for his fiery ways as a player, manager, and executive for 48 years.
Piniella teared up at home plate when the umpires wished him well with his mom. He shook hands with Braves skipper Bobby Cox after they reached the plate, and the two embraced as Piniella's No. 41 was posted on the center-field scoreboard.
The public address announcer ran down Piniella's achievements as he stood at the plate, and scattered cheers of "Louuu'' could be heard throughout the crowd.
When Piniella headed to the dugout, the cheers got louder. He took off his cap, waved it to the crowd, and began to clap for the fans.
Piniella said last month he planned to retire at the end of the season and even reiterated his plans Saturday. But he missed four games in August to be with his mom in Florida and decided this weekend his divided attention wasn't helping anyone.
"She hasn't gotten any better since I've been here,'' said Piniella, who turns 67 on Saturday. "She's had a couple other complications, and rather than continue to go home, come back, it's not fair to the team, it's not fair to the players. So the best thing is just to step down and go home and take care of my mother.''
The surprising announcement was made in a team handout yesterday morning.
Piniella finished with an overall record of 1,835-1,713. He trailed only Tony La Russa, Cox, and Joe Torre in victories among active managers. Piniella's record with the Cubs was 316-293.
In 18 years in the majors as a player -- he had a .291 career batting average -- and another 23 as a manager, Piniella made five trips to the World Series and has three championship rings. He began his professional playing career in 1962.
Piniella said he would look back on his life in baseball later. He added that he has no future plans, other than to tend to his family and relax.
"I'll have plenty of time to reflect, I will,'' he said.
SOURCE: The Associated Press
