RIP Chuck Tanner

Friends,

Since spring training is just around the corner, it's appropriate to give a hat tip to Chuck Tanner, former manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who died yesterday.

Beyond the obvious, why should you care?

> Tanner took a Pirates team into the World Series in 1979 and promptly fell behind 3 games to 1. Remember, in baseball, the World Series is the best of 7. So they're 1 loss away from elimination.

> Tanner refused to fold and, more importantly, refused to let his team fold.

> With a line-up including Willie Stargell, Dave Parker and Bert Blyleven, the miracle Pirates fought back to win. And Tanner did it despite his mother dying during the World Series.

> Chuck Tanner was old school. His policy of never giving in was infectious and help will his players to win.

> p.s. Remember the Sister Sledge song, "We Are Family"? That became the theme song of the Pirates. Yes, it was played ad nauseum but, in the end, it was true.

G'night Chuck. Your entire family will miss you.

Sparky Anderson - the Spark of the Big Red Machine

Friends,

You can talk up the world series (which the SF Giants won), you can talk up football or you could mention the name Sparky Anderson around the water cooler.

Who? Ah, here's what you can talk about.

> George "Sparky" Anderson was a Hall of Fame major league manager who died today at the age of 76.

> He lead the Cincinnati Reds aka "The Big Red Machine" to World Series wins in 1975 and 1976. As you know, that was no easy task. He had a roster of superstars -- Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Ken Griffey, George Foster, Tony Perez, etc., etc. -- and managed to keep everyone happy.

> The Reds let him go a few years later after two 2nd place finishes.

> What'd Sparky do? Headed to the American League and won ANOTHER championship with the Detroit Tigers.

> He is still among the most highly regarded managers in baseball and one of winningest.

God Bless you, Sparky. I loved watching you work.

Chat it up, for Sparky's sake!

It's over for Lou Piniella and Bobby Cox

Friends,

There's news in baseball to chat about. Here we go!

> The manager of the Chicago Cubs, Lou Piniella, is leaving at the end of this year.

> Talk about why he's leaving. He says it's just time. Maybe it is. I've liked Lou from his time playing for the Yankees. He's fiery, competitive and won a World Series when he managed the Reds. He's been around. He's probably ready to be around the house.

> Do you believe him? It's been a tough season for the Cubs who were expected to contend in some fashion. Instead, the #1 pitcher Carlos Zambrano had a meltdown, went to the bullpen, had another meltdown and underwent a suspension and is working his way back up from the minors.

> Perhaps you can say, "Maybe Lou just had enough." And see what kind of reaction you get.

Who will replace him?

> Joe Torre, formerly of the Yankees and currently with the Dodgers, isn't ruling anything out.

> Ryne Sandberg, currently the manager of the Cubs AAA team and a Hall of Fame 2nd baseman for the Cubs, is VERY interested.

> It's also believed that Bob Brenly, who lead the AZ Diamondbacks to a World Series and is currently a Cubs announcer, says he's interested.

Whew! Let the guessing begin!

Next, Bobby Cox, the manager of the Atlanta Braves is retiring at season's end.

> He's the legendary manager who has lead the Braves from the outhouse to the penthouse (bottom to top) of the division and won a World Series.

> He's known for getting tossed out of games but he's also known as being among the smartest managers in the game. Most players love him and hang around to play for him. Ask Chipper Jones. He's talked about retiring this season along with Cox. Some people just go together.

Enjoy and chat it up!