Piniella shows his soft side on eve of induction

SEATTLE — Lou Piniella had to stop, collect himself and fight back tears.

It was not the type of emotion Seattle Mariners fans grew accustomed to seeing from the fiery Piniella during his 10 seasons managing the club.

“I hope I don’t get too emotional,” Piniella said as he fought back tears Friday afternoon during a luncheon honoring his induction into the Mariners hall of fame.

Piniella will become the eighth person to be honored by the club and the first manager inducted. The festivities started with a luncheon on the grass at Safeco Field on Friday afternoon and will conclude with the ceremony before Saturday night’s game.

The traits most commonly associated with Piniella were competitiveness and a fiery personality. Whether it was throwing bases or arguing with umpires, Piniella brought an attitude to the Mariners that bred the most success the organization has ever enjoyed.

“What he did here was just tremendous and don’t think I don’t think about that every day I put this uniform on,” current Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. “I don’t want to embarrass him. I want to make him proud. He laid a tremendous foundation and hopefully we can get it back to where he had it and that would be pretty good.”

Piniella’s stint in Seattle was the longest tenure of his managerial career. He won 840 regular-season games with the Mariners, including 116 during the 2001 season when the Mariners matched the major-league record. They fell in the American League Championship Series that season.

Piniella reiterated that his one regret from his time in Seattle was not getting the club to a World Series, although the only four postseason appearances in franchise history came with Piniella in charge. He said Saturday night’s ceremony will be difficult to get through.

“It’s going to be hard for me because these fans have been so wonderful. They were so supportive and they played such a big integral part in the success that we had there. We led the major leagues in attendance here a few years. That’s in Seattle. That speaks volumes,” Piniella said. “I was fortunate they liked me and they supported me and supported our team and it’s so much more fun when you go into a ballpark that is packed with people as opposed to half empty.”

Piniella came to Seattle with the task of providing guidance to a young, but talented team. When he arrived in 1993, he inherited a squad that included Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner still in the early stages of their careers. That group eventually won two division titles and helped save baseball in the Pacific Northwest with a stirring rally in the final weeks to win the AL West in 1995 and reach the ALCS.

Martinez, Buhner and catcher Dan Wilson were all at the head table with Piniella on Friday.

“He was the perfect fit for those young players,” said Woody Woodward, the general manager who hired Piniella.

The tears came as Piniella was about halfway through his speech. He tried to thank everyone he worked with in Seattle, from the players, to the general managers and even the traveling secretaries.

“When they hire you to manage a baseball team these organizations place a lot of trust in you. You’ve got a lot of responsibility,” Piniella said. “It’s not easy to manage a major-league team if you want to do it the right way. You have to work at it and be prepared. … I had a lot of fun here, I really did.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.