The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT September 1, 2010

It was a sad day when I woke up early last Sunday morning.

Not because of the early wakeup call I got (getting used to the beagle whining anyway), but for the text message that I saw when I woke up that day.

Lou Piniella, who helped put the Seattle Mariners on the baseball map, announced he was retiring following last Sunday's game as manager of the Chicago Cubs to spend some time with his ailing mother.

Piniella, who also managed the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, said it was his final time putting on a uniform and that he was finally done.

Maybe it's those memories of watching him manage the Mariners to some form of success or winning the World Series with the Reds that made me think he was one of the better managers of his time - but I'd be lying.

The reason, above his skills as a manager and winning the one title, was speaking his mind.

Piniella was never shy about how he felt if an umpire missed a call, or a player didn't put the effort into playing the game.

I'll never forget when Piniella tackled a player in the clubhouse, forcing other players to jump in and separate the two.

Let's just say that between his fire toward some of his players and the umpires - his actions spoke louder than most of his words.

WHEN PINIELLA does go into the Hall of Fame - and I believe he will - he'll likely be remembered as a coach with a short fuse.

Forget that his legacy will include picking up bases and throwing them around the infield or kicking his hat around the infield when he'd had enough of the missed calls, but that's what made things entertaining to watch.

Once he left the Mariners, I thought he'd soften his stance and relax a little more, but I was 100 percent wrong.

He still yelled, kicked and argued with the umpires with more intensity than his teams showed at times.

His presence on the bench is something that won't be duplicated for a long time to come.

AS FAR as replacing Piniella as the Cubs manager, they'll be looking for a big time name to try and turn things around.

If I was the general manager of that team, I'd probably find someone that will get the excitement back in Chicago for baseball.

Somebody that knows what it's like to be a key member of that team - which needs a World Series more than some people need water to survive.

There's a good chance that they'll bring in a big-name manager - whether it's a former player or not.

If they're thinking about battling some of the beasts in the American or National League, you may as well find the best animal you can.

For the team's sake - I'd get a "Ryno."

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d'Alene Press. He can be reached via telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020, or via e-mail at [email protected].