Baseball is life
There hasn't been much Hot Stove news for the Reds, but here's an ember for fans: Former Reds manager Lou Piniella was in Cincinnati on Monday and was spotted in the downtown building where potential new owner Robert Castellini's offices are located.
Castellini is in the process of buying the Reds. Alan Nero, Piniella's agent, confirmed that Piniella was in Cincinnati.
"He was visiting friends," Nero told a St. Petersburg Times reporter. "Nothing is imminent, believe me."
Piniella managed the Tampa Bay Devils Rays last season. He was let out of his contract to pursue other opportunities.
Reds manager Jerry Narron is under a 1-year contract, as is general manager Dan O'Brien.
Championships for MY teams in my lifetime:
Cincinnati Reds - 75, 76, 90
Chicago Blackhawks - 10, 13, 15
University of Kentucky - 78, 96, 98, 12
Chicago Bulls - 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98
“Everything that happens before Death is what counts.”
― Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes
Wouldn't matter - a good chef can only be great with the best ingredients. As long as DanO is buying the groceries it doesn't matter who is cooking them.
"I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum... and I'm all out of bubble gum."
- - Rowdy Roddy Piper
"It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong. I am not a big man"
- - Fletch
Puffy = Bill Parcells
Just sayin...
Championships for MY teams in my lifetime:
Cincinnati Reds - 75, 76, 90
Chicago Blackhawks - 10, 13, 15
University of Kentucky - 78, 96, 98, 12
Chicago Bulls - 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98
“Everything that happens before Death is what counts.”
― Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes
Yep, the Reds need Lou like a hole in the head, forget the past and move forward Cincinnati or forever live in the mud.
Very interesting development.
Sure, this is not a World Series team next season....but I think people would feel alittle better with Sweet Lou at the helm rather than Jerry Narron.
"Strickland Propane... Taste the meat, not the heat." - Hank Hill
It would spark fan interest, which I think the Reds desperately need.
My dad got to enjoy 3 Reds World Championships by the time he was my age. So far, I've only gotten to enjoy one. Step it up Redlegs!
Hiring Lou, even though it might not make a difference for 2006, would send a message to the fans this ownership group is interested in moving this team in the right direction. Read the agent's comments, he didn't say they didn't have a meeting, he said "Nothing is imminent, believe me.", which in agent speak means they did indeed meet, but they are waiting for the sale to be finalized before things get official.
If they hire Lou I'll be one happy guy, and it will rekindle interest in the Reds among the casual fans.
Last edited by Reds4Life; 11-15-2005 at 10:28 AM.
But it won't sell tickets, real interest is involved in winning, not multi year million dollar contracts for a manager who at last view was bored to death with his team in the AL.Originally Posted by savafan
I agree. The 1990 season has come and gone...a long time ago. Lou's time here provided us with some great memories, but it should be left at that. Besides, isn't Jerry Narron under contract for 2006?Originally Posted by westofyou
Help stamp out, eliminate, and do away with redundancy.
This team could do worse than look to the D-Rays recent actions. New owner, new GM, new President, new on field manager, new developmental guys....etc. Clean sweep. And while we are sweeping out things we don't need anymore we can also sweep out this obsession with the old. I love antiques and relics and classic houses as much as anyone, I'm a historian in that regard, but the past belongs in the past and it's time to make a move to the future.
Championships for MY teams in my lifetime:
Cincinnati Reds - 75, 76, 90
Chicago Blackhawks - 10, 13, 15
University of Kentucky - 78, 96, 98, 12
Chicago Bulls - 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98
“Everything that happens before Death is what counts.”
― Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes
The past is gone. Get over it.
If the projected new owners pulled a brainless move like that, it would only prove that they don't have a clue either.
Unless of course, they are looking at it as a quick promotional/marketing campaign to generate interest/season tickets for 06, in which case, I would understand, but would lose all respect for Lou for agreeing to it.
Narron did a pretty good job considering the circumstances and the roster. And with Bucky Dent coming in you would have to expect the IF defense to improve, if at least a little bit.
Now all the Reds need is someone, preferably this off season, to come in and show the starting rotation how to throw heavy sinkers.
O'Brian has Coffey working on his, and supposedly had Wagner perfecting the one he already threw.
Maybe they've got the starting rotation on a similar program.....
Either way that would be the quick fix that would allow the pitchers we already have to have a chance at success at the GABP.
Estaban Loaiza picked up a sinker in one offseason, came into the White Sox as a minor league FA, and ended up winning 20 games.
I can't speak for other Reds fans, but I've always been a Lou fan and I would probably attend more games next year if he were the manager. He would certainly get me more excited about next season than Jerry Narron.
I wouldn't criticize Piniella for getting frustrated in TB. He had Lamar and Naimoli over him -- had to be extrememly frustrating. Better that he voiced it and worked his way out than sat there collecting splinters.
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