Archive for the ‘Lou Piniella’ Category

Lou Piniella rides off into the sunset

Lou Piniella has called it a career. He came to Chicago saying this would be his final managerial job and yesterday morning it was announced he would retire following what would be a 16-5 drubbing by the Atlanta Braves, the exact same outcome from Cubs vs Braves on opening day this year. Ironic how that [...]

August 23, 2010 Tags: Alan Trammel, Atlanta Braves, Derrek Lee, Jim Hendry, Leo Durocher, Lou Piniella, Mike Fontenot, Mike Quade, photo, Ryan Theriot, Ted Lilly Posted in: Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella, announcement, biz of baseball, coaching, manager, news, photo of the day No Comments

Fallout from the Cubs opening day blowout

Yes, it’s just one game, and no it was not lost due to the horrendously blown call on the trap by Nate McClouth on Marlon Byrd. Today’s 2010 season opener against the Braves in Atlanta was a lousy game from top to bottom. Cubs were twice doubled off base, committed 2 errors, pitchers walked 8 [...]

April 5, 2010 Tags: 2010 Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, bullpen, Carlos Zambrano, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, James Russell, Jeff Samardzjia, Larry Rothschild, Marlon Byrd, Nate McClouth, pitchers Posted in: Lou Piniella, game day, game recap, game strategy, lineup, players, roster No Comments

The 25th Man

Your 2010 Chicago Cubs 25-man active duty roster is due on Monday for the opening of the baseball season. With the position battles mostly settled for Lou Piniella‘s squad, only the 25th and final position remains uncommitted. Carrie Muskat of MLB.com writes about the four candidates for the one roster spot: There are four players [...]

March 30, 2010 Tags: 2010 Chicago Cubs, Aramis Ramirez, Carrie Muskat, Chad Tracy, Derrek Lee, Kevin Millar, Micah Hoffpauir, Sam Fuld, Tyler Colvin Posted in: Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella, players, roster One Comment

Ricketts should keep eye on the ball

Tom Ricketts is a smart, likeable guy. He talks a good game for the most part, but most of what I hear lately has very little to do with winning baseball in 2010. I heard a Lou soundbite from the Cubs Convention: ‘We have a good team up here in Chicago’ he said. And Lou [...]

January 20, 2010 Tags: 2010 Chicago Cubs, Aaron Miles, Andy MacPhail, Carlos Zambrano, Crane Kenney, Cubs Convention, Jim Hendry, Kevin Gregg, L flag, Milton Bradley, Ted Lilly, Tom Ricketts Posted in: Hot Stove, Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella, Ricketts family, Team Ownership, lineup, observations, players, playoffs No Comments

Ryne Sandberg is being groomed

Cubs Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg is certainly being groomed for the big chair. Question is, whether he will get a shot to manage in the major leagues in a Cubs uniform. At first glance timing may appear ideal with Lou Piniella in his final year as manager and Ryno now being assigned [...]

December 8, 2009 Tags: Ernie Banks, Hall of Fame, Iowa Cubs, Lou Piniella, manager, Ryne Sandberg Posted in: Lou Piniella, Minor League Baseball, Team Ownership, biz of baseball, game of baseball, observations No Comments

Kevin Gregg versus Kerry Wood

In April I tried to give now former Cubs closer Kevin Gregg a chance to prove himself. But instead by June he validated all of my original concerns – the guy just isn’t a “winning” closer. He has given up 12 home runs in the closer role, for an average of a hefty 1.9 per 9 [...]

August 18, 2009 Tags: Angel Guzman, Carlos Marmol, closer, Cubs, Kerry Wood, Kevin Gregg, Sean Marshall, wait until next year Posted in: Lou Piniella, game strategy, lineup, observations, players, stats No Comments

Sam Fuld makes it easy on Lou

Yet another Cubs farm hand has been promoted to the big club, and making an impact. When Lou Piniella finally sat star outfielder Alfonso Soriano yesterday, it was rookie Sam Fuld that call the call to play left field. He made things easy on Lou by going 2 for 4 with a double and a [...]

July 2, 2009 Tags: Alfonso Soriano, Jack Wilson, Jimmy Rollins, Lou Piniella, Magglio Ordonez, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Sam Fuld, Seth McClung Posted in: Lou Piniella, game day, game recap, lineup, players, stats No Comments

Lou has had enough with the tantrums

In the second installment of this season’s Cubs vs White Sox Crosstown Classic, tempers boiled within the Cubs family once again. Lou Piniella has apparently had enough of that, and frankly I think it is about time he took more control of this club. After two strikeouts and a routine fly out, Milton Bradley threw [...]

June 27, 2009 Tags: Alfonso Soriano, Chicago White Sox, Crosstown Classic, Cubs, Lou Piniella, Milton Bradley Posted in: Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella, game recap, observations, oldschool, players No Comments

Did Lou concede yesterday’s game?

Cubs manager Lou Piniella filled out a most unusual lineup card yesterday. He started just two regulars (Derrek Lee & Kosuke Fukudome), one rookie’s first every MLB game (Bobby Scales), and his #5 starter (Sean Marshall) to face reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. “We’re in a stretch of 20 straight games [...]

May 6, 2009 Tags: Bobby Scales, Derrek Lee, Kosuke Fukudome, Sean Marshall, Tim Lincecum Posted in: Lou Piniella, game recap, game strategy, lineup, observations No Comments

Not a good look for Cubs skipper Lou Piniella

Memo to Cubs manager Lou Piniella: Keep your hands out of your back pocket – not a good look for you. These photos were taken on the same day last week - you judge for yourself:

May 1, 2009 Tags: Lou Piniella, photo Posted in: Lou Piniella, observations, oddities, photo of the day No Comments