faba Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Piniella wants owners to answer for D-Rays strugglesAssociated Press Related Video: Devil Rays fans walk out on ownership PITTSBURGH -- Devils Rays manager Lou Piniella, wearying after a recent run of blowout losses and embarrassing performances, ripped the last-place team's ownership Sunday for not caring about winning now. Piniella said the New York-based owners who bought a controlling share of the perennially poor-performing franchise a year ago don't seem to care about Tampa Bay's current on-field product. "They're not interested in the present, they're interested in the future. And that's their right," he said. "But when other teams are getting better presently, you're going to get your butts beat and that's exactly what's happening." Piniella's remarks came barely 12 hours after an 18-2 loss to the Pirates, the sixth time since May 29 the Devil Rays have allowed 10 or more runs in a loss. They were outscored 25-4 in the first two games of the interleague series in Pittsburgh and had given up a remarkable 50 runs in their previous four games. The former Yankees, Reds and Mariners manager suggested he is tiring of constantly giving excuses for the Devil Rays' poor play. Their 20-42 record going into Sunday's games was the worst in the majors. The Devil Rays ended their seven-game losing streak Sunday, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-5 in 13 innings. "I'm not going to take responsibility for this," Piniella said in pregame remarks to reporters. "If I had been given a $40 million or $45 million payroll, I'd stand up like a man and say it's my fault. Well, I'm not going to do it. So if you want answers about what's going on here, you call the new ownership group and let them give them to you." The Devil Rays began the season with a $29,893,567 payroll that was about $7 million lower than any other major league team. Only the Pirates ($38.1 million) and Royals ($36.88 million) had payrolls below $40 million. A group headed by New York investor Stuart Sternberg bought 48 percent of the team just over a year ago. Former owner Vince Naimoli owns about 15 percent of the team and remains as the managing general partner. Limited partners who have no say in running the team own the remaining 37 percent. At the time he bought into the team, Sternberg said a major emphasis would be retaining a core of young players and player development. "When I came here three years ago, we talked about a situation where we wanted to win now and we were interested in winning now," Piniella said. "And you know what? With a small payroll we [improved] from 55 [victories] to 63 and then to 70. This was supposed to be a breakout year. The problem is we've got a new ownership group here that's changed the direction of where we're headed." Piniella, who left Seattle for the chance to manage his hometown team, clearly doesn't like that direction. It's a major turnaround from Seattle, which won a combined 300 games in his final three seasons there from 2000-02, including 116 victories in 2001. The Devil Rays lost eight of their first nine games in June, despite playing all games against teams .500 or below. Their 4-28 road record is one of the five worst in the majors at this stage of a season since 1900. The 1998 expansion franchise finished last in the AL East every season until last year, when it finished ahead of Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet/BosoxFan Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 I know what youre all thinking as you read that. Let me just say I couldnt agree more! fat george HAS to bring Sweet Lou back to NY! I dont give an F if he has to buy the Devil Rays franchise to do it, just please, bring Lou back. First things first, Joe Torre must be run out of town! Then Lou must be brought in. Oh, not so the Yankee dynasty will be restored or anything like that. Do you really think overturning tables in the clubhouse will make Big Useless, Jason Giamboo, Mike Missina, and Garroid Sheffield play better baseball? Will cussing out Bernie, Jorge and Tino make them NOT be so damn old and sucky? Will kicking dirt on an umpire's shoe make Jeter not be so overrated and A-hole not be so cursed everywhere he goes? I just think it would bring pure anarchy to a cumbustable clubhouse, riddled with chaos and eternal strife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Here is a new JetNation editorial by Nick Ferraro about Lou. On our front page right now. http://www.jetnation.com/?p=108 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenjetsfan Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Lou to the YANKEES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT STALKER Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Here is a new JetNation editorial by Nick Ferraro about Lou. On our front page right now. http://www.jetnation.com/?p=108 I read the article and don't necessarily agree. For one thing, Lou doesn't have much to send out there day after day. This team doesn't have the horses to compete on a daily basis. Yeah, you can get rid of Lou, but he's the best show in town concerning the Devil Rays. Do you really think bringing in another manager is going to change things on the field? Give Lou some players...do you think he all of a sudden forgot how to mangage when he left the Mariners? Players make the manager...very rarely does a manager make a player. Too bad Casey Stengel isn't around. You could ask him how was it he was able to win with the Yankees and then had the worst team in baseball with the '62 Mets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Just let the D-Rays face the Yankees a few more times than they already do each season, and their luck will change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LionelRichie Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 1 thing that would definitely change with lou is the number of 'star' yankee players that are hit wihtouth have the pitching staff retaliate. either you protect your players or you won't be pitching for piniella, period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Nevermind that back in the day he was an outstanding hitter. But isn't this the same genius who couldn't coach his team into the WS with: Alex Rodriguez Ken Griffey Jr Edgar Martinez Jay Buhner Paul Sorrento Joey Cora Russ Davis Jose Cruz Jr Randy Johnson Jamie Moyer Jeff Fassero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 Nevermind that back in the day he was an outstanding hitter. But isn't this the same genius who couldn't coach his team into the WS with: Alex Rodriguez Ken Griffey Jr Edgar Martinez Jay Buhner Paul Sorrento Joey Cora Russ Davis Jose Cruz Jr Randy Johnson Jamie Moyer Jeff Fassero True, Sperm, but in all fairness, you have to remember that no matter what team Alex Rodriguez goes to, it is destined for failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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