Tag Archives: Lou Piniella

On the Road in Pittsburgh

Sorry for missing a few posts this past week. Last Friday I traveled to Pittsburgh to take my two daughters back to college. I am here through Thursday. Here is a brief recap of sports related adventures and thoughts I’ve had since then…

1 – I picked up Pete Carroll’s new book, Win Forever, at Sea-Tac before heading out. I almost finished it on the flight over. I am pleasantly surprised and find the book fascinating. I have a couple short chapters left and when I’m done will give a book review. Stay tuned…

2 – I am excited to meet an old rival this week. I’ve been part of a Fantasy Football league for about the past dozen years. The league includes a friend whose family has played and they are all over the country, BUT are all originally from Pittsburgh. One of the combatants, the Steel City Irons is my pal’s sister, Susan. She is a past champion and a solid competitor. In fact, she has inspired my girls to play Fantasy Football. Regardless, I’m going to finally meet the Steel City Irons (who once beat me in the Super Bowl) on this trip tomorrow. I think I probably owe her at least a mocha for the thrashing…

3 – I can’t tell you how many welcome signs I’ve seen here in the Pittsburgh area all reminding me that I’m in “Steeler Country.” Ugh! There are too many constant reminders of their 2005 championship over the Hawks. One day….one day…

4 – I think we are going to catch a Pirates game on Tuesday. They are playing the Cardinals and Albert Pujols. I love going to other stadiums in any sport, and getting the chance to watch a potential Hall-of-Famer. The  Pittsburgh stadiums are gorgeous from the outside and I’m looking forward to the game.

5 – Missed the Seahawks on Saturday but I heard they played well. After reading Coach Carroll’s book, I must admit I am excited for the season and to watch them compete.

6 – M’s lose 10-0 yesterday. I guess the Daren Brown honeymoon period is over after leaving the Big Apple…

7 – Lou Piniella officially retired this week to take care of his ailing mother. Lou is first-class all the way. Thanks for everything you did for the Mariners and baseball, Lou. You will be missed!

More this week from Pittsburgh as I do my Charles Kuralt impersonation!

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved

Now What for Mariners?

Well, Daren Brown is 1-0 as Mariners skipper. Maybe he should quit while he’s ahead.

I’m sure Brown is an excellent choice to finish the season. He’s managed some of these guys at Tacoma and it makes sense. Unless, the M;s go 31-12 or something silly like that, I doubt he will be considered for the job long-term. So that begs the question – who?

I don’t like Bobby Valentine as an option. Yes, he’s had success but he’s 60 years old and I think this club needs someone who will be here longer than what Valentine may be able to offer. I’ve heard the name Joey Cora. He was a finalist when Wakamatsu got the gig and he would be a fan favorite. Willie Randolph is a good candidate because of his pedigree. Here are two guys I would have a lot of interest in…

1 – Ryne Sandberg is the odds-on favorite to replace Lou Piniella (ther’s some irony) in Chicago. In fact, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith said in the USA Today today that the Cubs should hire him. Hes managed at all levels of the minor leagues and is the right kind of manager for a young club because he’s played at the highest level and that will breed credibility . He’s also a Spokane native.

2 – Don Mattingly – This guy was a tremendous player for the Yankees and has since worked with Joe Torre in New York and Los Angeles. Everything I hear is that Mattingly is going to be a tremendous manager and is being groomed to replace Torre eventually with the Dodgers. How about here in Seattle?

Both these guys (and I would toss in Randolph) have credibility as a player; something Wakamatsu didn’t. If you can’t come in as a big-name manager like Piniella did, you’ve got to have some stripes as a player to make it work in this situation.

Your turn – tell me some names you’d like to see. But please, don’t say Ken Griffey Jr. (he’d be horrible); Jay Buhner (no experience); or Edgar Martinez (ditto).Tell me who would work here and why…

© 2010 Dan Weedin. All Rights Reserved