Cubs' skipper, ex-Yank, Lou Pinella's thoughts on new stadium

April 4, 2009

Well, the Cubs just wrapped up their 2 exhibition games against the Yankees - the first visiting team to play in the new park - and box score aside it was fun to watch. The broadcast on MLB was surprisingly good. They had some fantastic views of the park, including Monument Park, which is located next to the bullpen. The concouse is open to where you can see the game even standing in some concession lines. No problem watching the game when it's cold and windy or raining.

It seemed awfully lively. The balls were flying out - for the Yankees (6) and ex-Yankee Alphonso Soriano (1) (who put his head down and ran instead of standing there admiring) - even in the cool weather. the wind caused some trouble with fly balls for both infielders and outfielders and it looked like there'll be some odd caroms off the outfield corners. And what are the chances that 2 of the 3 NYY homers in the first game would hit the foul poles - one off the right, one off the left?

New Cub Aaron Miles (DeRosa trade was wrong and undeserved. And Peavey?) led off with a hit and subsequently scored the first run in the park. Derek Jeter, rightfully, got the first Yankee hit - a leadoff double. (Cano hit the first HR.) In addition, he holds the all-time hits record at the old stadium that of course can never be broken. It sure is nice that these records are held by a non-cheater. A-Roid had nothing to do with the christening as a player - nor did ex-Yank Roger Clemens. Andy Pettitte, who admitted his use of HGH, started today's game.

Native Illinoisan and Yankees Manager, Joe Giaridi, broke into the league with the Cubbies in 1989-92 and came back 2000-2003. In the interim, he played for the Yankees and won 3 World Series. He was in the running for Cubs' manager, which was subsequently given to Lou Pinella.

Wonder if they chatted about an ex-Cub being the Yankee manager and an ex-Yank being the Cubs' manager? There was a certain symmetry to this series that of course could have a very interesting ending...

As for Lou, he played for the Yankees from 1973-84 and then managed from 1986-88. Last year he was named Manager of the Year and he also got to manage the NL in the last All-Star game to be played in Yankee Stadium. And who beat the Cubs in the first round? Ex-Yankee Joe Torre. And who took Torre's managerial spot? Joe Giardi, who was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year and still got fired from the Marlins.

Anyway, George Steinbrenner picked the Cubbies because he wanted Lou to be there for the opening of the new Yankee Stadium. I'm sure was happy going in but Rich Hardin's and ex-Yankee Ted Lilly's pitching probably made him happy to leave.

Some of Lou's thoughts per Daily News' SEAN BRENNAN:

It's a wonderful facility. It's maintained, in my opinion, the charm of the old Stadium and it's really improved the amenities for the fans. It's a win-win. It really is.

Stir up any memories?

I walked by (the old Stadium) coming here and I had some very pleasant memories. But as soon as I got into this one, I came to the realization really quick why the new one was built.

Just walking through the corridors in this place, you got all the tradition, pictures, championships, the pennants of all the great Yankees exploits of the past. (But) it's modernized and it's going to be fun for the people that come in here and be treated to good Yankees baseball over the years. This is as nice a facility as there is in baseball.

Seen any of the old in the new?

Oh, no question. You can still see a little part of the subway out there in right field. They've done a really nice job, they really have. They didn't overdo it, but it's got a lot of the same features. The bullpens look the same. They've done a real nice job of putting this thing together and I commend them. I was hoping coming in here you would recognize the old Yankee Stadium and you do, you really do. There's a good flavor to it.

A flavor he would like to taste in October from the visitor's dugout:

I think coming here and playing in New York is an event itself. One of my desires would be to come here in the postseason and play them. So, we'll see.

And Wrigley?

Wrigley is a very unique place, it's almost a Field of Dreams-type stadium. It's right in the middle of a neighborhood. You've got the ivy. You've got the bleacher bums. You've got the people across the street on the rooftops. It's a totally different environment. It's got its charm and its history, and it's got its tradition. It's an exciting place to watch a ballgame. It really is.