Chicago Cubs

In a lot of ways, it has always been about the numbers in baseball. Fans, writers, and historians have long focused on the precious statistics in baseball, and there have been specific "standards" by which players are considered Hall of Fame material.

Well, all that's a thing of the past, for now the numbers have been deflated by steroid-cheating needle pushers like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and especially Barry Bonds, who has obliterated the most precious of all records with his insidious ways.

With Lou Piniella retiring at the end of the season, many Cubs fans might be saying good riddance due to Chicago's disappointment recently. 

The next question is obviously, "Who's next?"

Well, Ryne Sandberg has already thrown his hat into the ring. Sandberg, a Hall of Fame inductee and Cubs legend, would certainly bring big name quality to the dugout and his experience might go over well with the players.

The three runs scored by the Houston Astros in the 12th inning extinguished the Chicago Cubs’ hope to take another series at home.  The Astros won the rubber game by beating the home team 4-3 in a marathon match of three hours and 46 minutes.

I guess yesterday's news involving Lou Piniella ending all doubt and saying he will not be back next year is good news for me. I won't have to write anymore "fire Lou Piniella" columns.

But why is he still in Chicago? What is to be gained by that?

The team he has managed is going nowhere. They have been lifeless all year, and now they are playing for a lame-duck manager.

What is there to inspire them to play hard the rest of the way?

The June swoon, the July good-bye, the August bust, and the September to dismember could all be used to discuss the ghosts of Cubs' season past.

There are a few exceptions of course; one being the '84 team that headed into San Diego up 2-0 and found a way to cough up the NLCS. I am sure that Gatorade on a glove had everything to do with it.

The '89 team showed promise until they met up with a buzz-saw in the San Francisco Giants and were taken in five games.

I sit here and realize I haven't written Part II to my thoughts about trading Albert Pujols. I just about started writing Part II right now, but it took a backseat to this.

I read Bernie Miklasz's "Bernie Bytes" just about everyday, and I like what that piece is about. He just writes for five minutes and comes up with masterpieces. It is incredible.

That lead me to writing this. So much is happening right now and I feel obliged to write about it and offer my thoughts...

First thought: Sweet Lou

For those who remember the old Lou Piniella, Tuesday's new conference was a sure sign that the one-time volatile skipper had mellowed.

Today, Lou Piniella, after 46 years on the baseball field as a player and manager, quietly decided to retire at the conclusion of this season.

Let the speculation begin.

Lou Piniella will retire at season's end, meaning there will be no shortage of rumors swirling around Wrigley Field in regards to their new manager.

It won't be LeBron James-caliber of rumors, but you'll expect to hear the names Ryne Sandberg, Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Bob Brenly, and, for that matter, Phil Jackson, over the next three months.

Piniella seemed defeated long ago, even before the 2010 season began.

His Cubs' career began with such promise, but, like all things Cubs-related, it will end on a sour note.

Lou Piniella is finally going to hang it up.  He's confirmed that this season will be his last on anybody's bench, and I think it's about time.

Why? How could I think it's time for Lou to hang it up when he's such a great "baseball mind"?

Well, let's consider the obvious.  There's the: temper tantrums, temper tantrums, tempter tantrums, and inexplicable losses in the postseason.

One of baseball's best managers is leaving the game. Like Bobby Cox, another respected manager, Lou Piniella has decided that after this season he will retire. 

Some might say it's because of the Cubs, but while they gave Lou his fair share of aches and pains, he's also shared laughter and joy while managing the Chicago Cubs. In his career, he was a two time American League Manager of the year and one time National League Manager of the year