I loved watching Sweet Lou Piniella manage. He was fiery and motivated his team with a “I got ya back” attitude. He was also known to have a meltdown once in a while. I vividly remember one at the Metrodome years ago where he argued a play and got tossed. Before leaving the field, he tossed a bunch of bats and equipment on the field. It was glorious!
Today’s mail brought in a ticket that he signed from the April 8, 1986 game that was his managerial debut. He did not inscribe managerial debut as I requested but did include a 2007 Allen & Ginter card! Only one out of my three requests for the managerial debut inscription on a ticket worked and that was at a paid signing. I wonder if these guys consider managing when they were a bench coach or similar situation count as their debut and shy away from it otherwise.