Prior to Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the Nationals honored manager Lou Piniella. It was Chicago’s first game since Piniella retired Sunday. We’d like to honor Sweet Lou in our own way — with a list of his best flip-outs.
1. Sept. 18, 2002 vs. Rangers » Piniella was incensed after a Seattle runner was called out at first base, the winning run would have scored. So he threw his hat to the ground, kicked it across the field and kicked dirt on umpire C.B. Buckner before ejecting the umpire himself. The tirade ended with Lou ripping the first-base bag and throwing it into right field — twice.
Recommended Stories
2. Aug. 26, 1998 at Indians » Still with Seattle, Piniella argued with second base umpire Larry Barnett. Eventually, he kicked his hat seven times from center field back toward the dugout and finished by throwing the hat into the stands. An Indians fan threw it right back.
3. July 1, 2006 vs. Braves » Lou took kicking dirt on umpires to a new level. Arguing with third base umpire Mark Wegner after an ejection, Piniella kicked dirt on him 12 times and kicked his hat twice. Cubs fans littered the outfield with trash after an out call at third base.
4. May 19, 1984 vs. Angels » Lou was a wild man as a player, too. Angered by a called strikeout by home plate umpire Greg Kosc in the ninth inning of a 4-0 loss, Piniella lost it. After he was ejected, he had to be restrained by manager Yogi Berra and third-base coach Gene Michael.
5. May 29, 2002 at Rays » A twist on the old kick-dirt-on-the-ump routine. After an ejection, Piniella finished an argument with John Shulock by using his hands to scoop dirt on home plate and cover it completely. Seattle catcher Dan Wilson had to brush it clean.
