Just My Type

The Interview
Lou Piniella
CUBS MANAGER
The owner of the majors' best record throws tantrums (and hats and bases) a lot less frequently these days.

Dan Patrick: I tried to use the bullpen phone at Wrigley Field yesterday. I was in the dugout after you guys left. I didn't know if I had to dial 9 or 8 to get out. Can you help me with that?

Lou Piniella: I don't even know. The coaches do the dialing. All I do is ask for the pitcher.

DP: Carlos Zambrano had problems with a molar the other day. Did he just spit out the tooth on the mound?

LP: He spit out some of it. He's a tough kid.

DP: Have you seen anybody more intense than Zambrano?

LP: I've talked to him many times about trying to control his emotions on the mound. He lets the opposition know when he's not happy with himself. And I told him, "You're defeating the purpose, you're wasting energy." But that's the kind of guy he is. The competitive spirit takes over.

DP: I saw him punching the wall, but he was using his left [nonpitching] hand.

LP: With pitchers, you just don't want them hurting themselves. When they come in and they're a little upset, I have one of our coaches follow them up that runway, because they can hurt themselves. I know when I played, the poor watercooler took the brunt of it. But it would be my big toe, not my throwing hand.

DP: When's the last time you were nervous during a game?