greasywheels121 Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Anyone liking him as the 3rd guy as much as me? http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005...tory?id=2192527 Piniella may choose booth over dugout in 2006 Associated Press ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Lou Piniella is having so much fun with his postseason TV gig that he's considering spending the 2006 season in the booth. "I might be doing this next year," Piniella told The Associated Press on Saturday before working the Fox Sports broadcast for Game 4 of the AL Championship Series at Angel Stadium. "It's not for sure -- nothing's for sure. I like it. I'm enjoying this." Piniella parted ways with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays earlier this month after three difficult seasons as manager. He has hinted he might take a year off before returning to the dugout -- though he certainly might change his mind once October is over and has time to fully think things through. There is speculation if New York manager Joe Torre doesn't return that the Yankees might express interest in the 62-year-old Piniella, who spent the final 11 seasons of his 18-year playing career in pinstripes. "It's a totally different perspective," Piniella said. "One thing, when the game's over, you can go home and get a good night's rest and not have to worry about wins and losses -- a big change. I don't even talk baseball. Isn't that great?" Fox has received feedback that Piniella's work in the booth as an analyst alongside Joe Buck and Tim McCarver has been a success so far. "That's terrific, I'm happy for him," Fox Sports spokesman Lou D'Ermilio said of Piniella's thoughts to stick with TV. "Lou's doing a great job for us this postseason, but it's very premature for us to be thinking about next year. He's doing a terrific job with Joe and Tim." Piniella returned to his native Tampa after the 2002 season following 10 years in Seattle, where he led the Mariners to an AL-record 116 wins in 2001 during Ichiro Suzuki's Rookie of the Year season. Piniella was hired to turn around the losing Devil Rays, but ultimately had a difference of opinion with ownership and questioned management's commitment to winning. Piniella had one season remaining on a $13 million, four-year contract he signed in October 2002, but will receive a buyout that calls for him to get $2.2 million of the $4.4 million he was due next season, as well as $1.25 million in deferred salary from 2003. For Piniella, it's a new kind of grind getting prepared to go in front of the camera each game. He gets nervous, too -- not surprising for this often demonstrative manager who's not one to hide his emotions on the field. "There is more work involved than what you think. Especially for me, I expend a lot of nervous energy," he said. "You get tired. I'm worn out after the game. It's all different [studying]." Piniella has a record of 2,939-1,519 in 19 seasons as a major league manager. He began his managerial career with the Yankees, spending the 1986-88 seasons in the Bronx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzie Montana Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 This guy has alot of knowledge about the game. I think he would do awesome at either position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 If Piniella did take the Yankmees job like everyone says will happen if Torre walks. I'd might actually have respect and hate the Yankmees, instead of hating them with Passion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 he's fun to listen to, and when he was talking about how he would flip out during game 3, he honestly had me laughing for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Pinella: "When I played..." Buck: "We don't care, Lou." McCarver: "You know... I like pie." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_genius Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 QUOTE(knightni @ Oct 16, 2005 -> 11:02 AM) McCarver: "You know... I like pie." haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joemg311 Posted October 17, 2005 Share Posted October 17, 2005 sure lou knows his stuff and calling jose's fork ball "snr. tumbelina" mad me crack up but there is just something about his voice that i find very anoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonkeyKongerko Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 He seems a little uncomfortable wearing a suit and his voice sounded shaky at times. Sort of like a young Darrin Jackson. I think he'd be better in a two-man booth somewhere as the color guy because it sounded like he had alot more to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 He is a smart guy when it comes to baseball but I cant stand his voice at all its so annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Oct 18, 2005 -> 12:25 AM) He is a smart guy when it comes to baseball but I cant stand his voice at all its so annoying. Probably a bit of nerves, I'd guess. I think Piniella would do well once he adjusted to the role. I really did like him in the booth...seemed like Steve Stone was up there for a little bit, just knowing what to do an when to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.