Lou Piniella is named to replace Pete Rose as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

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On November 3, 1989, Lou Piniella is named to replace Pete Rose as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Rose was banned from baseball for his gambling activities while managing the team. In his first season in Cincinnati, Piniella will guide the Reds to the World Series title.

CINCINNATI – Piniella REDS HAVE TALENT TO WIN NOW

Lou Piniella, newly hired manager of the Cincinnati Reds, says the team has the talent to win in 1990, and he expects the players to have positive attitudes. ‘ The Reds announced Friday that Piniella, former player, coach, manager, and general manager with the New York Yankees, had signed a three-year contract to manage the Reds, who endured a disastrous 1989 season.

The club skidded to fifth in the National League West with a 75-87 record, Cincinnati’s first losing mark since finishing 70-92 in 1984. ‘ Piniella, 46, whose contract will pay him a reported $350,000 annually, succeeds Pete Rose, who was banished from baseball on Aug. 24 for his alleged’ gambling activities. Piniella told reporters he is not concerned about taking over the Reds after a season marked by the Rose scandal and a rash of injuries to key players. “It’s a new start” Piniella said.

“The most important thing is to go to spring training and instill a positive attitude in the players. … I don’t think we’ll have an attitude problem:” Piniella said he thanked Yankees owner George Steinbrenner . for releasing him from a $400,000-a-year personal-services contract that would, have bound . Piniella to the Yankees for two more years. Piniella had played 11 years for the Yankees, was twice the field manager and did an eight-month hitch as general manager. He said Friday he didn’t want a third term as manager of the Yankees. “It was time for me to go on the field somewhere else,” Piniella said. “I thought I did a good job managing in New York. The ownner got a little impatient at times, but that’s his prerogative.” Piniella becomes the Reds’ 41st manager since 1900.

The 1990 season opens in Cincinnati on April 2 against Houston. Reds general manager Bob Quinn, a former Yankees general manager who worked with Piniella before being hired Oct. 13 by the Reds, said his familiarity with, and respect for, Piniella helped in hiring the new manager. Quinn said Piniella ‘s effectiveness in handling pitching staffs was also considered a big plus.

“This club here has good pitching. They have a wealth of good, young arms,” Piniella said. “This is a good ballclub I’m coming to. It Is not like I’m going into a rebuilding process. This is a ball club that can win, next year.” Quinn said Steinbrenner gave the final go-ahead Thursday night to hire Piniella and will not require any compensation from the Reds. “For that, we thank George,” Quinn told reporters. Steinbrenner reportedly demanded player compensation from Toronto when the Blue Jays attempted to hire Piniella as manager. The Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners last year offered Piniella managerial jobs. Toronto and Cleveland asked Steinbrenner for permission to offer Piniella managing jobs this season, but Steinbrenner refused because Toronto and Cleveland are in the American League East with New York.

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