Lou Pinella has been honored as the National League Manager of the Year in 2008. Pinella led the Cubbies to their most regular season wins (97) since 1945. Securing the number one postseason spot was for naught, as that the Cubbies were swept by the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. This was Lou’s third Manager of the Year award, but first in the National League. Pinella has won manager of the year twice before, in 1995 and 2001, while managing the American League’s Seattle Mariners.
Shortly after receiving their manager of the year award, the Chicago Cubs announced that they are bringing back, for the 2009 season, all the coaches who worked under Lou Pinella last season. Returning coaches include pitching coach Larry Rothschild, who will begin his eighth season with the Cubbies. bench coach Alan Trammell; hitting coach Gerald Perry; third base coach Mike Quade; first base coach Matt Sinatro; bullpen coach Lester Strode; and Ivan DeJesus, a special assistant to Piniella, will all return for their third year with the Chicago Cubs. “I was so happy today to see that my entire coaching staff has re-signed and come back,” Piniella said. “They’re basically a very integral part of my success.”
Now Pinella, his staff and management can turn their attention to offseason signings to shore up some of their pitching and hitting needs. If a couple of these key signings can take place over the winter, Wrigley Field can look forward to having a lot to celebrate again next season!
