Cubs Manager Lou Piniella Retiring Today

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella will end his 46-year career in baseball after today’s game. Piniella originally planned to retire at the end of the season, but announced today he must leave early to take care of his ill mother, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. “It’s not fair to the team, the players,” he said. “I didn’t think my career would end this way, but my mom needs me home. I’ve enjoyed it here. I’ve had four wonderful years.”

Piniella, 67, played for 18 years, 11 of those with the New York Yankees. During his career as a manager, he won the 1990 World Series with the Cincinnati Reds, and became the first Cubs manager in 100 years to lead the team to consecutive playoffs. He was named National League manager of the year in 2008. Cubs’ third base coach Mike Quade will take over for the rest of the season and will be considered as a permanent successor to Piniella.
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