Former Cubs skipper Lou Piniella says he didn't leave his post.
"I didn't quit," Piniella told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Sweet Lou stepped up to the plate Monday to address reporters at the Major League Baseball winter meetings. He wanted to strike out any misconception regarding the Cubs 5-25 downward spiral during his last month with the team.
Piniella told the Chicago Sun-Times the death of George Steinbrenner in early-July affected him.
Piniella sported New York Yankee pinstripes as a player, manager and general manager.
"When I was there in New York, George was never sick, never had a cold. All of a sudden he passes away. Then about the same time, my uncle dies. And I was very close to him. Then my mother gets very sick and is in the hospital," said Piniella to the Chicago Sun-times.
Piniella said announcing his retirement in mid-July hurt the team, but he added he never quit. He said the Cubs were losing to good teams during that stretch.
Local
The former Cubs skipper said he eventually realized it was time to go home, which he did in late August.
Piniella said he has no regrets over his decision to leave. He said he was happy Cubs third base coach, Mike Quade, took over the team and did well, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Piniella is expected to be offered a consultant job with the Yankees, according to the Associated Press.
