2008 Manager of the Year
Lou Pinella has been honored as the National League Manager of the Year for 2008. Pinella led the Cubbies to their most regular season victories (97) since 1945. Securing the number one seed for the postseason went for naught, as the Cubbies were swept by the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. This was Lou’s 3rd Manager of the Year award, but first in the National League. Pinella has won the manager of the year award twice previously, in 1995 and 2001, while managing the Seattle Mariners of the American League.
Shortly after receiving his manager of the year award, the Chicago Cubs announced they will be bringing back, for the 2009 season, all the coaches who worked under Lou Pinella this past season. The coaches returning include pitching coach Larry Rothschild, who will be entering 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 all will be returning for their 3rd year with the Chicago Cubs. “I was so happy today to see that my entire coaching staff is re-signed and coming back,” Piniella said. “They are basically a very integral part of my success.”
So Wrigley Field can expect to have plenty to cheer about again next season!