Goodbye, Lou.

Lou Piniella retired on Sunday, August 22, 2010 after a 16-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Piniella shocked everyone by following through with his plans of retirement...6 weeks early. He made the respectable choice to be by his 90 year old mother's side as she is very sick. It takes an earnest, loving, and honest man to do what he did. He stepped up and made the wise decision to place family ahead of fame and money. After the game Piniella stated, "Rather than continue to go home and come back, it's not fair to the team and it's not fair to the players.The best thing is to step down and go home and take care of my mother." In my heart I know he made the best and most respectable choice he ever possibly could have.

Facts about Lou Piniella and his career with Major League Baseball:

-His 1,835 wins ranks him among the managerial elite, placing him at #14 on the all time win list.

-He is the first manager in Chicago Cub's history to lead the team to back to back post season appearances.

-Piniella is 1 of only 5 managers to win the Manager of the Year award, 3 times.

-He has been in a uniform since 1962.

-He had the team at .500 within 3 seasons of being the manager, the first Cub's manager to do so in nearly 70 years.