He holds players accountable.
While Piniella is impulsive about personnel decisions, some principles remain constant. He's tough on catchers and can't stand pitchers who nibble. He can live with errors, 0-fers and gopher balls, but the offending player better give his all and be accountable. Excuse makers and players who hide in the trainer's room after games quickly exhaust their credibility with Piniella.He lets the kids play.
In contrast to predecessor Dusty Baker, who had a well-deserved reputation as a veteran's guy, Piniella enjoys playing kids because of the energy they bring to the clubhouse and the field. The only catch: They better not be scared or fundamentally unsound.
Three young Cubs -- pitchers Rich Hill and Carlos Marmol and shortstop Ryan Theriot -- are now indispensable pieces for Piniella, and rookie catcher Geovany Soto has hit well enough lately to start taking at-bats from veteran Jason Kendall.
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