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Lou Pinella retired as MLB manager on this date two years ago. It is very easy to say that he did not have a successful career as a manager. Especially since he managed the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Chicago Cubs his last 7 seasons. Looking over his finished product, it may be a surprise how successful he was over his managerial career. He falls short of the Hall of Fame standards, mostly because he only won one World Series (with the Reds in 1990).
Pinella was part of four New York Yankees teams that reached the World Series, losing in 1976 and 1980 while winning in 1977 and 1978. His first experience as a manager was with the Yankees in 1986. He led the Yankees to 90 and 89 wins in his first two seasons only to be replaced by Billy Martin for the start of the 1988 season. After Martin was fired for the 5th time by owner George Steinbrenner, Pinella returned to finish the 1988 season. He was let go in favor of Dallas Green after that season. His first season in Cincinnati, the Reds won the World Series. After a losing season in 1991, the Reds won 90 games the next season.
He then moved to Seattle, an organization that had a history for losing. During his ten years, the Mariners won three division titles. The Mariners also had winning seasons in 7 of the 10 years, including the MLB record 116 wins in 2001. Yes, his three Tampa Bay seasons were forgetable, but he had better success in Chicago than most of us think. He led the Cubs to division titles in 2007 and 2008 and won 83 games in 2009 before retiring during a tough 2010.
He finished his mangerial career at 1835-1713, 122 games over .500. Take away his three seasons in Tampa Bay, where he was 95 games under .500, and he would be 217 games over .500. Though the greats in the game were all 400+ games over .500, Pinella's career stands out. In his 23 years, he led his teams to 6 division titles and finished with 14 winning seasons. He had two out of three winning seasons in NY, two out of three winning seasons in Cincinnati and three out of four winning seasons in Chicago. Like I mentioned before, this goes with the seven out of ten winning seasons in Seattle. Thats 14 out of 20 winning seasons, minus his time in Tampa Bay.
He then moved to Seattle, an organization that had a history for losing. During his ten years, the Mariners won three division titles. The Mariners also had winning seasons in 7 of the 10 years, including the MLB record 116 wins in 2001. Yes, his three Tampa Bay seasons were forgetable, but he had better success in Chicago than most of us think. He led the Cubs to division titles in 2007 and 2008 and won 83 games in 2009 before retiring during a tough 2010.
He finished his mangerial career at 1835-1713, 122 games over .500. Take away his three seasons in Tampa Bay, where he was 95 games under .500, and he would be 217 games over .500. Though the greats in the game were all 400+ games over .500, Pinella's career stands out. In his 23 years, he led his teams to 6 division titles and finished with 14 winning seasons. He had two out of three winning seasons in NY, two out of three winning seasons in Cincinnati and three out of four winning seasons in Chicago. Like I mentioned before, this goes with the seven out of ten winning seasons in Seattle. Thats 14 out of 20 winning seasons, minus his time in Tampa Bay.
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