Lou Piniella Voted Manager Players Would Least Like to Play For

It hasn't been the greatest week for Cubs manager Lou Piniella. Not only is he feeling the heat of the Chicago media with the Cubs scuffling, but he's also gotten into an argument with Milton Bradley in which he called his right fielder a "piece of [expletive]." Regardless of whether the exchange should have ever left the clubhouse or not, it's not exactly the type of thing you want the world to know about.

All of this was done after a recent poll by Sports Illustrated in which Major League players were asked anonymously which manager in baseball they would least like to play for, and which one they'd most like to play for. Guess which one Sweet Lou emerged "victorious" in.

In a poll of 380 players, conducted in May, Piniella received 26 percent of the vote, followed closely by White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen at 21 percent. St. Louis' Tony La Russa finished third at 10 percent, followed by the Dodgers' Joe Torre (4 percent) and Cleveland's Eric Wedge (4 percent).

So it's nice to see that Chicago has a monopoly on managers players aren't very fond of, but looking at the top four finishers in this poll, I'm not exactly surprised.

Piniella, Guillen, La Russa, and Torre are all powerful personalities who have no qualms about using their influence and position to get their point across. I'm guessing Eric Wedge made it on the list because nobody wants to finish in last place.

As for who was voted manager that players want to play for, it's not too much of a surprise that Atlanta's Bobby Cox came in first with 25 percent of the vote. Joe Torre finished second with Mike Scioscia third, Joe Maddon fourth, and Terry Francona in fifth.

Also, 53 percent of the players poll responded "Who?" when asked about Pittsburgh's John Russell.*

*not really

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

6-30-2009 @ 2:47PM

teachanne said...

I LOVE Lou! Those players need someone to stand up to them and tell tham OFF! Especially Milton Bradley who has DONE SQUAT for the Cubs--I CRINGE evrytime he comes up to bat--He does NOTHING!
Why couldn't the Cubs have gotten Mark De Rosa back?? Now HE is a good player and worth the $$!!

6-30-2009 @ 3:10PM

pbdoublea said...

Right on! Lou will turn the ship around. We need more managers like him. Why Jim Hendry signed Bradley and let DeRosa go is a mystery to me. They could have had Bobby Abreu for same or less money. I think Ozzie Guillen is a jerk, but at least he doesn't kiss all the players butts.

6-30-2009 @ 8:21PM

hockeyfan39 said...

I couldn't agree with you more! While he's at it, he needs to straighten out Big B as in baby Zambrano. I have and always will love my Cubbies, but enough already with drama queens.

7-01-2009 @ 12:56AM

amkdwarren said...

Exactly! When you mess with the dynamic of the team, You never know what's going to happen. DeRosa was a big part of a lot of wins last year.

7-01-2009 @ 6:38AM

mjsjr52 said...

I am a Lou man myself, some of these players need to check to make sure they are wearing the big boy pants because they sure as &$+* are making the big boy money!

Cubs fans ahould be pissed and it sounds like they are..

I agree about Mark DeRosa.

7-01-2009 @ 8:58AM

FB said...

They don't like him because he expects them to behave and play on the level they are getting paid for. MLB needs more like him and Ozzie.

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7-01-2009 @ 12:59PM

bbaduus said...

That Ozzie G manager is trash!! Trash mouth and trash manager. He should be fired and sent back to his country. He has no respect for people and should get together with Manny so they can slap themselves around a bit and get mad at everyone. Ozzie go screw yourself you racist hot headed loser of a human being. Its unbelievable that you are a coach I could do a better job of coaching than you by far and if I can do that then how many others with credentials and better personable skills can. Clean up your act or get out of baseball and all sports because your nothing more than a punk.

6-30-2009 @ 5:24PM

hillsamurai said...

Since ten percent of the player (and some were probably Cardinal players) said they they would not play for Tony La Russa, maybe it is time for him to be let go. And take that worse than useless Pitching Coach Dave Duncan and his inconsistent player/son Chris with him

6-30-2009 @ 3:04PM

Since Tony La Russa was on that list, evidently there were some Cardinal players were who took part. Maybe it is time to cut Tony loose. And when he goes, he can take that worse that useless Pitching Coach Dave Duncan and his son Chris with him.

6-30-2009 @ 3:32PM

greatr said...

I don't care for Lou but in this case he just called it the way it is.....Bradley is a piece of crap....

6-30-2009 @ 3:42PM

isugadget14 said...

Pinella, Ozzie, Larussa, Torre, all these guys have one thing in common, they are proven winners. Today's baseball players dont want to be held accountable for hard work and production on the field. No one is willing to have their feet held to the fire when not proforming. These guys will light you on fire.

6-30-2009 @ 9:53PM

dskaalrud5 said...

Exactly!

6-30-2009 @ 4:22PM

boomer said...

milton bradley has been a 'cancer' with every team he has ever played for / lou was simply calling a spade a spade .

6-30-2009 @ 5:00PM

macungiee8 said...

Lets pamper their over paid butts a little more, half of them should be playing in a dog schitz league in Haiti.

6-30-2009 @ 5:23PM

richrokosz said...

Sign of the times...Pinella's a great baseball manager. Today's tattooed, pierced, be-jeweled, ego-maniacal idiot's have no comprehension of anything other than themselves.

6-30-2009 @ 5:37PM

fouritiswritten said...

IF I COULD BUY THE CUBS / LOU WOIULD STAY/ BRADLEY / SORIANO / AND DEMSTER WOULD GO

6-30-2009 @ 5:57PM

chicagocubs84 said...

I love sweet lou. They knew what they were getting with bradley. They also thought they would get his .300 plus batting average, and everything else good about the guy. Lou needs to kick some ass, and get the team going. Soto, Theriot, bradley, Fontenot, and the rest need to get busy. Now.

6-30-2009 @ 6:04PM

Randall said...

It shouldn't surprise any Cub fan that they signed Bradley and traded DeRosa away. It's what makes the Cubs the Cubs. That's why they are known as the lovable losers. Red's announcer Marty Brennamen called it last year.

6-30-2009 @ 6:07PM

bill123153 said...

Lets see---Lou ignores rookies and leaves veterans alone---so just what the heck is it he does do? I would think if you're a veteran player you'd love to be left alone---look how long it took Nappy Lou to unload on Bradley---he let him be a goof for months before finally telling him what every person on the planet already knows of Milton..

Lou needs a nap, go back to Tampa join a Spanish softball league, smoke cuban cigars, fish a little, tell old stories, high five each other and just take it easy. Making millions for not doing your homework Lou is getting to be robbery.

This will be his last season in Chicago--new owners wont stand for his nonsense and send him packing, I mean napping all the way back to Florida or Spain.

He doesnt develop rookies and does nothing with or to the veterans. He's stolen from Chicago long enough. His day came and went when he left Cinncinatti.