LOU PINIELLA (Manager)
"Although he has no managerial experience, he took over the hottest seat in baseball when he replaced Billy Martin following a 97-64 finish last season. George Steinbrenner insisted that general manager Clyde King and vice-president Woody Woodward made the decision to hire this guy without consulting the Boss.
Piniella retired as a player on June 17, 1984. He hit .291 in 1,747 career games. Signed by Cleveland in 1962, he was drafted by the Senators later that year. Traded to Baltimore in 1964 and then to Cleveland in 1966, Lou was selected by the expansionist Seattle Pilots in 1968 and traded by the Pilots to the Royals in 1969. Finally, in his first full major league season, he won the AL Rookie of the Year award for KC in 1969.
An outfielder, Piniella was traded to the Yankees with Ken Wright for Lindy McDaniel prior to the 1974 season. He spent his last 11 years with New York and hit .295. 'Sweet Lou' won the hearts of Yankee fans with his animated play. He batted .305 in five ALCS and .319 in four World Series. Lou won Steinbrenner's admiration as a player, but can he keep it as Yankee manager?"
-Tom Verducci, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1986 Edition
"Lou Piniella will be managing a major league club for the first time when he takes the top spot with the Yankees in 1986, but while the job is new for Sweet Lou, he is very familiar with the organization. After showing his talents and establishing himself as an organizational man for twelve seasons as a player and a coach with the Yankees, the popular Piniella is ready to accept the challenge of managing. 'This is one of the premiere jobs in sports in the premiere city in the country,' Piniella said.
During his playing days with the Yankees, Piniella proved himself to be a clutch player. His .295 average with the Yankees puts him in the top ten on their all-time list. In 1977 he hit safely in five ALCS games. Then in 1978 he hit in six consecutive World Series games. He extended his personal Fall Classic streak to nine straight by collecting hits in the first three games in 1981.
'He has been through all the pressure situations of pennant races, playoffs and World Series,' said Yankees General Manager Clyde King. 'Compound all these attributes with the fact that he is a very talented teacher, and we feel he is going to make quite a positive transition.' Piniella displayed this teaching ability when he accepted the role as batting instructor while [still] playing for the Yankees in 1981. He is now ready to take the final step, and the job as team manager.
'I've always wanted to manage, and I've always said so,' Piniella agreed. 'I know it's a tremendous challenge that will take hard work, but it's something I wanted and it's up to me to make the most of this opportunity.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Lou was named as the Yankees manager on October 17, 1985. He retired officially on June 17, 1984 and was named a Yankee coach. He was honored with Lou Piniella Day on August 5.
A consistent player, recognized as one of baseball's most professional hitters, Piniella was always extremely tough for the Yankees in the clutch. His .295 lifetime batting average with the Yankees ranks him in the Yankee all-time top 10.
He was originally signed by Cleveland scout and former Yankee Spud Chandler. He missed most of 1975 with an inner ear problem that required mid-season surgery. Lou returned to regular duty in 1976 and was runner-up to teammate Dock Ellis for Comeback Player of the Year.
Lou was always an excellent postseason performer. In 1977 he hit safely in all five ALCS games and in 1978 hit safely in all six World Series games. Lou hit safely in the first three games of the 1981 World Series to extend his personal World Series hitting streak to nine games; he led all Yankee hitters with a .438 average in the '81 World Series.
In 1981 he led all American League designated hitters (50 or more games as a DH) in batting average (.344) and was second in the league as a pinch hitter (25 or more at-bats) with a .360 average. On August 24 [of '81] Lou was asked to help the Yankee coaching staff as a batting instructor, working with his teammates on the fine art of hitting.
Lou was always one of the Yankees' most exciting players and fans welcomed each of his at-bats with chants of 'Lou, Lou.' He's a native of the Tampa, Florida area and is of Spanish ancestry. He enjoys the stock market and operates two restaurants in the New York metropolitan area."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
LOU PINIELLA IS A ROOKIE AGAIN
"'I woke up this morning and wondered if everything is a dream. It hasn't sunk in yet,' said Lou Piniella the morning after he was appointed the Yankees manager for 1986. That was last October 29. By March it had all sunk in. 'It's time to stop talking and start playing,' he said at spring camp. 'We've got a job to do and that's to win a pennant.'
This is Lou Piniella, a man whose skills and winning attitude need no introduction. He is taking on his first job as a major league manager, yet he is as well known and respected as any manager in the game.
This respect was earned during a brilliant 16-year playing career, 11 of those with the Yankees. As a player he was a fiery competitor, best known for his precise style of hitting. He turned the act of batting a thrown ball into a science, and established himself as one of the game's premier clutch hitters. In 1981 he led all DHs with a .344 average, and was second in the league as a pinch hitter with a .360 average. He hit safely in all five games of the 1977 ALCS. Then in 1978 he hit safely in all six games of the World Series, and continued his personal streak in the Fall Classic by collecting hits in the first three games of the 1981 Series.
'He has been through all the pressure situations of pennant races, playoffs and World Series,' said Yankee General Manager Clyde King. 'Compound all these attributes with the fact that he is a very talented teacher, and we feel he is going to make quite a positive transition to manager.'
The transition process was started in 1981, when Piniella was asked to help some of his teammates with the mechanics of hitting. Soon he became the regular batting instructor, and served as a player/coach until his retirement in 1984.
Fans, disappointed by the premature retirement of the very popular Piniella on June 17, 1984, turned out to honor the slugger on August 5, Lou Piniella Day. Business continued as usual the next day for Piniella, as he concentrated on coaching full time. Piniella patiently waited in the wings as he was highly touted as the Yankees' next manager.
'I didn't like those types of situations,' Piniella said. 'I talked to George (Steinbrenner) and told him I was uncomfortable with what transpired. I said, 'Look, the only time I want to see my name as manager of this ballclub is when I actually get the opportunity to manage this club.''
Ironically, the Yankee owner stayed clear of the manager selection process for 1986. He passed the duty of choosing the new manager to King and Woody Woodward, Vice-President of Baseball Operations. And while much was made about Piniella's lack of managerial experience, King felt he was the right man for the job. 'Lou feels as strongly as we do about such things as discipline, dedication and sacrifice- things that are essential to winning on the field,' said King.
Their belief in Piniella was so strong, despite his never having managed before, he was still the Yankees' choice.
'We did not interview anyone else,' King added. 'We didn't really compile a list because Lou was our choice.'
The choice was made, and Piniella accepted the challenge of the new position. 'I've wanted to manage and I've said that before,' Piniella said. 'I know it's a tremendous challenge that will take hard work, but it's something I wanted and it's up to me to make the most of this opportunity.' Piniella expressed his joy at the new job by adding, 'This is one of the premier jobs in sports in the premier city in the county.'
One element that makes the job such an attractive one is the challenge involved, knowing that the Yankees have employed 14 managers in the past 14 years. This doesn't seem to bother number 14, though he's signed to only a one-year contract.
'We talked about the possibility of a two-year contract,' Piniella said. 'I played a long time with one-year contracts and had to prove myself, and I did that as a player. If I do a good job, I don't think I'll have to worry about anything.'
Piniella has been with the organization for a long time. He was a popular player, and much has been made of his positive relationship with Steinbrenner. But Lou isn't taking anything for granted. He will work hard, and use what he has learned in his years on the bench as a player and a coach to enhance his managing career. 'I'm going into this with open eyes. I've been here 11 or 12 years and have seen the different changes at the manager position,' he said. 'I'm certainly no fool. I realize if, for whatever reason, you don't do a good job, you get replaced. But with any team that happens. I plan on doing a good job and staying around for a while.'
Piniella doesn't think about losing, but when did he? Always a fierce competitor, he was known for his outbursts on the field. His skill and determination won him the praise of Yankee fans, who cheered him with chants of 'Lou, Lou, Lou!' As a player he fought hard, and took a great deal of pride in playing for the Yankees. As a manager he will accept nothing less from his players. 'The Pinstripes are special, and players who play for this team must have pride in that.'
In making the transition to manager, Piniella will maintain the winning attitude that made him successful as a player. He will bring the intensity he displayed on the field into the manager's office. As a manager he will be hard but fair. He will combine the positive elements of two former Yankee greats who have held the job before him- Yogi Berra and Billy Martin. While Lou will instill Martin's fiery desire for victory in his players, he will also use Berra's quiet charm. 'I'll come out to argue with the umpires when I feel they do something wrong, but off the field I'm a quiet man who likes people and treats them well,' he explained.
Piniella is a man who has always treated Yankee fans very well. As a player, his .295 career Yankee average places him in the top ten on the all-time Yankee list, and his clutch hitting played an important role in the Yankees' back-to-back world titles in 1977-78 and A.L. pennant in 1981. As a coach, he has been invaluable as a teacher of hitting- for both youngsters and veterans- and has been credited with the quick development of many young Yankee hitters. As a manager? While the jury is still out, Piniella has already issued his verdict: 'Our goal is to win the championship!'
Strong words by a man who will be managing a major league team for the first time ever. 'I know what I'm getting into,' he admits. 'I have a good feeling about managing the Yankees. No team can win in the Eastern Division without the horses to get the job done, no matter who calls the shots. This year's club has the personnel to win it all, and as a manager, I think my players are going to respect me.'
Players, fans, and everyone associated with the game of baseball have learned to respect Lou Piniella. It was 17 years ago, 1969, when Piniella entered the ranks of major league baseball as a rookie with the Kansas City Royals. He wasted no time in establishing himself, capturing the honor of 1969 A.L. Rookie of the Year. He has been proving himself to be a winner ever since, and looks to keep the trend going in his first season as the field general of the Yankees. 'In my first year as a player I won the Rookie of the Year award, so being a rookie manager should not hinder the chances of this club.'
That it shouldn't. He knows the players, he knows this organization, and he knows how to win. That's why he was hired to manage the 1986 Yankees, experienced or not. As Piniella put it, 'If it were just numbers and math, then a computer could manage the Yankees. Managing is all I feel.'
If that holds true, then everyone close to the Yankees must be feeling pretty good about this team's chances with Lou Piniella at the helm. History has already proven that when Piniella is involved, it can mean only good things for the Yankees.
'We're going to have fun this season,' says Sweet Lou. 'All the way from spring training to October.' All the way to the top with the people's choice, Lou Piniella."
-Charles J. Alfaro, New York Yankees 1986 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
MEET THE COACHES
"The Yankees manager in 1986, Lou Piniella, certainly has a lot of baseball knowledge, but what he lacks is managerial experience. Should the capable Piniella have any trouble in his first job as a major league manager, he will have a wealth of experience to rely on in his 1986 coaching staff.
Piniella's staff boasts a wide array of baseball experience. All six of the coaches have previous major league coaching experience. Three of them have managed a major league team, one other has managed in the minors, and two have worked in the Yankees front office.
Not only do the coaches know baseball, they are all familiar with the Yankee organization. Returning to the staff from last year are veterans Gene Michael, who has been with the team since 1977,and Jeff Torborg, who has been here since 1979. Carl 'Stump' Merrill, who has been with the organization since 1977, will be back again, having been with the big club for a brief stint early last season.
The other coaches this year are by no means new to the Yankees. Joe Altobelli will be returning to the team he was with from 1980-82, the last two years as a major league coach. Roy White will rejoin the staff after having been a coach in 1983 and the early part of '84. Sammy Ellis has been with the organization since 1978, and has seen much action with the Yankees at the major league level.
Serving Piniella as the all-important bench coach will be Altobelli, whose credentials include 34 years of major league experience. Joe has the distinction of being named Manager of the Year in both leagues, once by the AP in 1978 during three years (1977-79) with the San Francisco Giants, and by UPI in 1983 after leading the Baltimore Orioles to the World Championship in only his first year as their manager. He also was named the International League's top manager three times, the last in 1980 with the Yanks' Triple-A Columbus Clippers.
White will be donning the Pinstripes again, leaving his post as Assistant General Manager. He will have the tough task of replacing Piniella as team batting instructor. With a .271 career average during his 15 years with the Yankees, the switch-hitting White seems a logical choice for the job. The former left fielder spent three years playing in Japan before coming home to the team he thrived with for so many years. White will also coach at first base.
Michael will once again be handling the chores as third base coach. The versatile Michael has served the Yankees as a player for seven years, a general manager, a manager and a coach. The Stick has truly been an organizational man, and his many experiences will be invaluable to Piniella.
Back as bullpen/pitching coach will be Torborg, who has been an excellent teacher to Yankee pitchers and catchers. Torborg speaks from experience, having been a catcher with the World Champion Dodgers in 1965 and their pennant winners in 1966. He also caught three no-hitters, and caught for two pitchers who would set single-season strikeout records. Combine this with his coaching and managerial experience (he managed the Cleveland Indians from 1977-79) and it's no wonder he'll be back for his eighth year in Pinstripes.
Helping Torborg with the pitchers will be Ellis, who has been Mr. Everything as an organizational pitching coach. For the past several seasons, the Yankees have made the most of Ellis' talents. As a floating instructor, he has worked with Yankee pitchers on all levels of the organization, and now brings his expertise back to the big club.
Rounding out the staff is Merrill, who will be Piniella's administrative coach. Before games he will work as a field coach, and then will adjourn to a bird's eye view from the press box. From that spot he will serve the manager as a scout, helping to direct play from a different level. Stump demonstrated his ability to set strategy as a manager in the Yankees' farm system, where he accumulated a .600 winning percentage in eight seasons.
These six coaches have become familiar with the organization. Through the years, they have had first hand involvement in the development of present Yankee players. Now these young players have become team leaders, and six familiar faces will again be guiding them."
-Charles J. Alfaro, New York Yankees 1986 Scorebook and Souvenir Program
STUMP MERRILL (Coach)
"Carl 'Stump' Merrill is re-joining the Yankees as administrative coach in 1986, and seems to be the perfect man for the job. His duties will include field coaching before games, but during games he will serve manager Lou Piniella as a voice from above, helping to coordinate plays from the press box. Merrill's wealth of experience will be a great help to the first-year manager.
From 1978-84, as a manager in the Yankees' farm system, his teams finished first five years and second twice, and though his team finished fourth in 1985 they rallied to the runner-up spot in the playoffs. As a minor league manager he has racked up a .600 winning percentage. His keen eye and knowledge of the game will serve as a big plus for the Yankees in '86."
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Stump began the 1985 season as Yankee first base coach. He switched positions with Doug Holmquist, going to Columbus on May 7 when Billy Martin returned as manager.
After spending his entire six-year playing career as a catcher in the Phillies farm system, Stump joined the Yankees organization in 1977 as pitching coach at West Haven. Prior to the beginning of his professional coaching and managing career, he spent time at his college alma mater (University of Maine, Orono) as assistant baseball coach under the late Jack Butterfield.
Stump joined the managerial ranks in 1978 at West Haven and led his clubs to the playoffs or to outright championships [five times in seven years]. He guided his 1978 and 1982 teams to league championships and was named manager of the Eastern League All-Star team in 1978. In 1980 Stump was Southern League Manager of the Year and All-Star Manager and led Nashville to a league record 97 wins.
He spends the fall and winter months as offensive backfield coach for the Bowdoin College football team in Brunswick and also enjoys officiating high school basketball."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
GENE MICHAEL (Coach)
"The managers have changed over the years, but the third base coach has remained the same. Each new manager of the Yankees has realized the importance of a quality coach such as Gene Micheal, including Lou Piniella. Stick will be returning as the Yanks third base coach in 1986.
Just as he was a team player during his seven-year career as a Yankees shortstop, he has been an organizational man since retiring in 1976. Since that time he has served the team as general manager, manager and coach.
With a rookie manager leading the team in 1986, Stick will be asked to lend a helping hand to Piniella. His hands will also be busy waiving home Yankees runners from his box at third base!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Stick will be third base coach again this year. He has been the field manager twice.
Gene was originally named Yankee manager on November 21, 1980. In 1981, the Yankees were 34-22 and leading the AL Eastern Division by two games on June 12 when the players' strike occurred. The Yankees were eventually declared first half winners, qualifying for the Division Series in October. Gene was replaced by Bob Lemon as manager on September 6, 1981, yet was named manager of the Yankees for a second time on April 25, 1982, replacing Lemon; under Gene the team was 44-42 when Clyde King was named manager on August 3 of that year.
Stick had previously been Yankees general manager, being named to that post on November 1, 1979 after serving as the field manager of the AAA Columbus Clippers in 1979. He guided the Clippers to regular season and postseason International League titles after starting the season with 10 straight wins. The Clippers finished 85-54.
Upon his retirement as a player in 1976, Gene was hired as a Yankee coach. He coached first base for the Yankees in 1978 after he had been a front office Administrative Assistant in 1977.
One of the most popular Yankees during his playing career, Gene was the regular shortstop from 1969-1973. He mastered the hidden ball trick, pulling it off five times with the Yankees. Gene was a close friend and roommate of the late Thurman Munson.
Gene graduated with a B.S. in education from Kent State where he played basketball. He was pursued by the New York Knicks to play pro basketball."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
SAMMY ELLIS (Coach)
"The Yankees kept it 'in the family' when they selected Lou Piniella as their 1986 manager, and Piniella did the same when he brought up Sammy Ellis as his pitching coach. Ellis has been doing it all for the Yankees in his eight-year career in the organization.
Ellis joined the Yankees as the pitching coach at Ft. Lauderdale. He moved to Columbus in 1980, and after three successful seasons with the Clippers he became the organization's roving pitching instructor, working with all of the clubs. The Yankees have made the most of Ellis' many talents to help pitchers at all levels of the organization. This season, he is back with the big club in New York keeping Yankees pitchers in winning form."
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Ellis is back again as Yankee as Yankee pitching coach. For the last several seasons he has served the Yankees in many roles: as major league pitching coach, Columbus pitching coach and as an organizational pitching instructor.
Highly touted from Mississippi State University, Ellis received a large bonus. He broke in with the Reds organization in 1961 as a young fireballer at Columbia, South Carolina. He joined the Cincinnati staff as a regular in 1964 and had his biggest season in 1965, winning 22 games. Sammy also played for the Angels and White Sox and had his six-year big league career cut short by arm problems.
Sammy joined the Yankees organization as the pitching coach at Ft. Lauderdale in 1978. He's largely credited with much of Dave Righetti's success."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
JEFF TORBORG (Coach)
"It's no surprise that Lou Piniella will retain the services of Jeff Torborg, who has become an institution as the Yankees bullpen/pitching coach.
Jeff came to the Yankees in 1979 and has been a stable force over the past seven seasons. Prior to his joining the Yankees he served as manager of the Cleveland Indians for two years, but [since] his dismissal from the Tribe, Jeff seems to have found his niche with the Yankees.
As a catcher he was part of the World Champion Dodgers of 1965, who were also pennant winners in '66, caught three no-hitters and caught two pitchers who set single-season strikeout records. Torborg now offers that experience to Yankees pitchers and catchers, which is why he will be back for his eighth season in 1986."
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Torborg joined the Yankee coaching staff on August 1, 1979 after his dismissal as manager of the Indians on July 23. He had managed the Tribe since June 19, 1977 and prior to that was a coach for the Indians beginning with the 1975 season, serving under Frank Robinson.
Jeff played 10 years in the majors, seven with the Dodgers and three with the Angels. He played on the World Champion Dodgers in 1965 and on their NL pennant winner in 1966. He caught two no-hitters with the Dodgers, by Sandy Koufax in 1965 and Bill Singer in 1970, and also caught a Nolan Ryan no-hitter with the Angels in 1973; the major league record for no-hitters caught is four by Ray Schalk. Jeff was also behind the plate when Don Drysdale threw his fifth consecutive shutout in 1968, and caught Koufax and Ryan when they set single season strikeout records. Jeff retired after the '73 season.
A native of northern Jersey, Jeff earned a B.S. in education from Rutgers and has a Masters degree in athletic administration from Montclair State. His thesis was on the effects of platooning in baseball. In his senior year at Rutgers, Jeff hit .537 to lead the NCAA in batting and set a record that still stands."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
ROY WHITE (Coach)
"Roy White will be filling some very big shoes when he assumes his duties as a coach with the Yankees in 1986. White will be replacing the talented Lou Piniella as the team's hitting instructor. Piniella can fully concentrate on the duties of his new managerial job knowing that he has a very capable man to replace him as batting coach.
The switch-hitting White compiled a .271 career average during his 15 years with the Yankees. Then, after playing three years in Tokyo, he came back to the Yankees as a coach in 1983 and for part of 1984. The former left fielder served as an assistant general manager for the Yankees before again donning the pinstripes as a coach for 1986. White, who was Piniella's teammate on the Yanks from 1974-79, will also serve as first base coach under the new manager."
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Roy returns to the coaching lines after one and a half years in the front office. One of the all-time Yankee favorites, he returned to the Yankees in 1983 after a three-year 'second career' in Japan.
He ranks among the all-time top 20 Yankees in stolen bases (2nd with 233), games played (6th with 1,881), runs scored (8th with 964), hits (8th with 1,803), doubles (10th with 300), RBIs (12th with 758) and home runs (16th with 160).
Roy's career spans several distinct eras of Yankee history. He was scouted and signed by the Yankee organization in 1961 at the height of the Yankee dynasty. After several impressive minor league seasons, Roy received his first taste of the major leagues in 1965, the beginning of the 'lean years' for the Yankees. His career matured and blossomed as the Yankees were rebuilding and developing into the AL pennant winners of '76, '77 and '78 and World Series champions of '77 and '78. Roy then played three years with the Yorimuri Giants of Tokyo in Japan's Central League.
The only Yankee outfielder ever to field 1.000 for a season, he was originally signed as [a second baseman], but Bobby Richardson's presence brought about the switch. Roy switch-hit home runs in a game five times and also once switch-hit triples in a game.
Roy was raised in Compton, California with such future big leaguers as Reggie Smith, Dock Ellis, Dave Nelson, Don Wilson and Bobby Tolan."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
JOE ALTOBELLI (Coach)
"When Lou Piniella accepted his first job as a major league manager, he wanted an experienced managerial hand next to him on the bench. The man he got is the knowledgeable Joe Altobelli, who two years ago told Piniella that he would one day be a coach on Manager Lou's staff!
Joe's smarts come from 34 years of baseball experience, including nearly three seasons as manager of the San Francisco Giants during which he was named the 1978 Manager of the Year by the Associated Press. As manager of the Baltimore Orioles, he was named Manager of the Year in 1983 by UPI after leading the Orioles to the World Championship in only his first year as their field general.
'I'm fortunate to have Joe,' Piniella said. 'He's an experienced manager who's won a World Championship and, most importantly, he knows the league.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1986 Yearbook
"Altobelli returns to the Yankees organization in 1986 as Lou Piniella's bench coach. He originally joined [the Yankees] for the 1980 season, taking Gene Michael's position as Columbus manager. Joe guided the Clippers to the league championship and was named International League Manager of the Year for a third time. In 1981 and 1982 he served as Yankees third base coach.
In 1983 as Baltimore Oriole manager, Joe led the team to the World Championship, becoming just the ninth manager to win a World Series in his first year as manager of a club. He had replaced the legendary Earl Weaver, who retired after the 1982 season after managing the Orioles for 14 and a half seasons. Ironically, Earl was called out of retirement to replace Joe last summer.
Joe played professionally for 15 seasons as a first baseman/outfielder. In 1951 he set a Florida State League record that still stands, hitting safely in 36 consecutive games. He was a manager in the Oriole system for 11 seasons, including six years at AAA Rochester where he won four pennants, finished second once and averaged 84 wins."
-1986 New York Yankees Information Guide
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