Former New York Yankees manager Lou Piniella has accepted a two-year, $350,000-a-year contract to manage the Cincinnati Reds, according to a published report.
The Dayton Daily News, quoting unidentified sources in today's editions, reported that the Reds had hired Piniella, 46, to replace Pete Rose, who was banned from baseball in August.The newspaper said the team planned to announce the hiring of Piniella during a news conference at Riverfront Stadium featuring Reds majority owner Marge Schott and general manager Bob Quinn. Quinn worked with Piniella in the Yankees' front office.
The newspaper said Piniella, his wife, Anita, and a son, Derrick, planned to fly to Ohio today from their New Jersey home.
Piniella couldn't be reached for comment and a woman who answered the telephone at Schott's home said the owner was unavailable for comment.
Reds spokesman Jon Braude told The Associated Press that the team had no comment on the report, and said Quinn was unavailable.
Sources told the Daily News the Reds have assured Piniella that he can pick his own coaching staff. Tony Perez said Schott told him he still has a job with the Reds and Piniella agreed that Perez will stay as batting coach and first base coach.
Piniella has never been involved with the National League and told friends that his coaches will be National Leaguers, the Daily News reported.