Posted on 06/04/2007 11:33:42 PM PDT by L.A.Justice
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella's suspension was set at four games Monday by Major League Baseball for his weekend dirt-kicking tantrum against an umpire.
"I will serve it and I will learn from this experience," Piniella said before Monday night's game at Milwaukee. "These things won't happen again."
The commissioner's office originally planned to suspend Piniella for five games. The penalty was reduced by one game after Piniella spoke with John McHale Jr., MLB's executive vice president for administration.
Piniella said he was suspended for making contact with umpire Mark Wegner -- which the Cubs first-year manager denied -- and for "exciting the crowd, which is not hard to do in Chicago."
Piniella started serving the penalty Sunday, when baseball said he was being suspended indefinitely pending his talk with McHale. Piniella said he planned to watch Monday's game with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry from a suite at Miller Park.
Bench coach Alan Trammell managed the Cubs in their 10-1 win over Atlanta on Sunday. He will continue running the team in Piniella's absence.
"I was very pleased to see the team play well yesterday and hopefully they will do well in Milwaukee," Piniella said.
Piniella was ejected in the eighth inning of Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field after Angel Pagan was thrown out trying to steal third.
Piniella ran onto the field and kicked dirt as he argued and tossed his cap. After seeing a replay following the game, Piniella said Wegner's call was correct.
"I didn't think he got it right from my vantage point in the dugout," he said. "There were frustrations involved also. I have to go out there and defend my team.
"At the same time, there was no need for all the extracurricular stuff, too. I apologize to the umpire for that. I really do. I respect these guys. It's over and it's time to move on."
ESPN showed past footages of Piniella arguing with umpires. There was a scene where Ken Griffey Jr. was laughing at Piniella. It was one night at Baltimore.
He attempted to throw (a rather generous) Bruce Froemming aside.
Did he throw a base this time?
Time to put a fork in him.
Even he can't believe this statement!
LOL
Sweet Lou you have been doing this for the last 30 years!
LOL - so true!
Is the “Sweet Lou” moniker supposed to be in reference to him NOT being sweet or nice? Because if things are going his way, he is reasonable. But as soon as a reporter asks him a penetrating question he doesn’t like or a close call doesn’t go his way, he is bitching and moaning like Hillary after another bimbo erruption.
He is a big name that continually gets recycled from team to team, with the teams’ owners hoping he puts a few asses in the seats. He’s a jerk and he’ll wear out his welcome in Chicago too, eventually.
Good point. There are managers who are hired because they were once-famous managers, who had previously delivered for their owners. There are managers who are hired because they were well-known and well-liked in their playing days. Then there are managers who are hired because they did excellent work as bench coaches, third-base coaches, coaching in the minors, or other assistant coaching positions.
Out of the three, I have to say that I would prefer to see more of choice (3) managing.
I’d have to say Lou has a decent track record in all of those areas you listed. I think he just rubs me the wrong way and he just seems like a bully. I’d have a hard time holding off if I were an umpire, but I guess thats why I’m not one. Ha.
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