Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has just announced his retirement from Chicago on Tuesday. This will bring to end a 22 year career as a baseball managing great, with 18 years managing in the majors.
ESPN – The 66-year-old Piniella said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
“I’ve grown to love the city and the fans but at my age it will be time to enter a new phase in my life,” Piniella said in a statement released by the team.
Announcing his retirement now, Piniella added, gives the team time to find a replacement.
“I’m proud of our accomplishments during my time here and this will be a perfect way for me to end my career,” he said. “But let me make one thing perfectly clear: our work is far from over. I want to keep the momentum going more than anything else and win as many games as we can to get back in this pennant race.”
The Cubs said Piniella will retire as the 14th-winningest manager in major league history.
Here’s the ESPN video clip announcing the Lou Piniella retirement announcment: