Two Lous
Last week Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced he will retire after the season—just four days after actor James Gammon, best known for playing Indians manager Lou Brown in Major League and its sequel, died at age 70. Here's a look back at the managerial careers of the Lous.
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LOU PINIELLA | LOU BROWN | |
MOONLIGHTING | Cameo in Little Big League. | Sold tires in off-season. |
THE FOURTH ESTATE | Said of dealing with the media: "I hate to be just a sullen, one-word, two-word, 'yes or no' kind of guy." | Said of dealing with the media: "I'd like to ... see if we can give 'em all a nice big s---burger to eat." |
CASUAL ATTIRE | In 2003 ordered his Tampa Bay players to wear dress pants to home games: "You're a major league player. You get paid like a major league player. At least resemble one when you get to the ballpark." | Upbraided reliever Rick (Wild Thing) Vaughn for his getup: "All right, Vaughn. They tell us you're a pitcher, you're sure not much of a dresser. We wear caps and sleeves at this level, son." |
HEART CONDITION | False rumors hit the Internet in 1998 that he suffered a heart attack while managing the Mariners. | Suffered an actual heart attack brought on by team's lackadaisical attitude in Major League II. |
INFIGHTING | While managing Reds, wrestled reliever Rob Dibble in 1992. | Saw team spring to life after they had a bench-clearing brawl—among themselves—in Major League II. |
SPITBALLING | While managing Yankees, told owner George Steinbrenner that he couldn't ask the umpires to check Angels pitcher Don Sutton for ball-scuffing because his own starter, Tommy John, was the one who had taught Sutton the art. | Tapped Eddie Harris (who was known to load the ball with Crisco, Bardahl, Vagisil and, with help from a jalapeño, snot) to pitch in several big games. |
CATCHERS | In Seattle, managed Mackey Sasser, whose career was undone by his inability to throw the ball back to the pitcher. | In Major League II, managed Rube Baker, whose career was nearly undone by his inability to throw the ball back to the pitcher. |
BAD TIMES WITH FEMALE OWNERSHIP | Annoying, tight-fisted ways of Reds owner Marge Schott led to Piniella's resignation in 1992. | Annoying, tight-fisted ways of Indians owner Rachel Phelps led to angry clubhouse showdown. |
GOOD TIMES WITH FEMALE OWNERSHIP | Often defended Schott and allowed her to rub hair from her beloved pet St. Bernard, Schottzie, on him for good luck. | In original ending to Major League, found out that Phelps was positioning herself as the enemy to motivate Brown and his players. |
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JIM PRISCHING/AP (PINIELLA)
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AP (BROWN)
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EVERETT COLLECTION (VAUGHN)
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DAVID WALBERG (DIBBLE, SCHOTTZZIE)
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AP (CRISCO)
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CHUCK SOLOMON (SCHOTT AND PINIELLA)
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AP (BROWN AND PHELPS)
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