Bobblehead Monday #13

Bobblehead #13

Name: Lou Piniella

Position: Manager

Team: Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Description: 7.25 inches tall; standing with hands on hip getting ready to lay into an umpire.

Relevance: I took in a Rays game in Tampa Bay at the Trop last summer.  This bobblehead commemorates the trip!

How Acquired: Another eBay purchase.

Other Notes:  “Sweet Lou” won a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990, led the Seattle Mariners to an American League record 116 wins in 2001, and he was a three time manager of the year winner.

He was brought in to lead the Cubs to their first Championship in nearly a century.  I always thought that if he was able to accomplish that feat, then he probably could write his ticket to the baseball Hall of Fame as a manager.  Alas, two quick exits from the playoffs in 2007 and 2008 were all that he could muster.  Lou then retired to take care of his mother in the second half of his fourth season with the Cubs.

Lou is currently a baseball television analyst for the YES Network, which covers the New York Yankees.

Bonus Note: Lou’s nickname is “Sweet Lou”, but I’m not entirely sure why.  He’s more known for not being so sweet.  Here's a video of Lou and one of his more infamous scenes with the Cubs.

Here's a commercial he did for Aquafina which poked fun of his reputation as a tornado of managerial fury. 

Extra Bonus Note: I went to the Iadipaolo's Halloween party dressed up as Lou Piniella in 2008.