Cubs' manager Lou Piniella, cited the health of his ailing mother as the reason he left the Cubs organization on Sunday, a month or so before the end of the season. Cub fans heading the park didn't know for sure that this was his last game until an improvised ceremony with Braves Manager Bobby Cox at home plate signalled that something was up.
Yes, this would be Lou's last game ---and his impressive achievements were announced the the crowd.
It has been a tough couple of days for Cubs fans. Team favorite Derrick Lee was now playing for the Braves, and has a chance to make the playoffs at the end of his career. The Cubs are 23 games under .500, not the way the team imagined it would be in Arizona during Spring training. But Piniella took some time off earlier in the month to see his Mom, and her situation has not improved, necessiting Piniella's quick departure. Mike Quade was named interim manager for the rest of the season. Allan Trammell, the bench coach, was not in consideration as interim manager.
Piniella brought credibility and a winning resume to the Cubs. The team made the playoffs in 2007, and 2008, only to be swept in the the first round. The 2008 season was disappointing because the Cubs had perhaps their best season in years, winning 97 games, only to lose 3 straight games to the Dodgers. Last season, the team had a winning record, and this year, the Cubs seemed like the team of some many futile seasons, losing close games, blowing leads, and getting clobbered as in the the 16-5 loss on Sunday.
Cub fans were treated to winning seasons, but not playoff gold. There was a lot of excitement and unmet expectations.
Sorry to see you go Lou, but look forward to new leadership and a new change. All eyes are on Ryne Sandberg who is managing the Cubs triple A farm team in Iowa. He may be the new manager, without having managed a major league game. Well, we got a bona fide manager with great success as manager in Cincinnati and Seattle. Lou won a World Series in Cincinnati. That seems a long time ago. Piniella's won a lot of games. Only Tony LaRussa, Cox, and Joe Torre have won more. Now, it may be time for a Hall of Fame player, and a rookie manager in Sandberg.
