So Long Sweet Lou

When I think of Lou Piniella, my first thoughts don't center around his managing. Well, sometimes I think immediately of some of his snaps. Lou threw temper tantrums with the best of them.
My first thought, usually, takes me back to Game 4 of the 1977 World Series at Yankee Stadium. Lou's RBI baseknock to right-center off Bob Welch in the bottom of the 10th gave the Yanks a 4-3 win over the Dodgers to even the series at 2-games apiece. The Yankees then won the next 2 games and the championship.
As a manager, Lou was pretty good. He did win a title with the Reds in 1990 and won 116 games with the Mariners in 2001 before his old friends, the Yankees wiped him out in the playoffs.
Former Yankees outfielder Paul O'Neill always reminded me of a left-handed version of Piniella. O'Neill had a temper like Lou, complained to umpires like Lou, had a sour puss most of the time like Lou and practiced his swing in the outfield like Lou. He was also a clutch player, a team player and an underrated outfielder like Lou was. Too bad they weren't the same age and could have played in the same outfield together. That would have been something to see. They were on the same team though when Lou managed O'Neill in Cincinnati.
I also remember something shocking about Piniella. I was at a hotel in upstate New York in February of 1980. Lou was the featured speaker and he was sitting at the dais...smoking. I couldn't believe that a Yankee actually smoked.
I hope Lou has kicked his smoking habit. I also wish he had a better team than the Cubs to manage this year. Maybe the Cubs have driven him to retirement.
Sweet Lou Piniella, 66-years old (holy crap!), is calling it quits after this season. Following an 18-year big league playing career and 22 seasons managing, Sweet Lou, one of my favorites, is retiring. Best wishes Lou. And thanks for that winning hit in Game 4 against the Dodgers.