Lou Piniella Joins YES Network as Special Contributor

Former Yankee will provide game and studio coverage, special event programming

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/22/2012 4:55:29 PM

Former New York Yankees player and manager Lou Piniella will join YES Network, the team-owned RSN, as a special contributor.

Piniella will provide both game and studio coverage, and will also be involved in the network's spring training, and potential playoff coverage. He will also contribute to YESNetwork.com.

"With five decades of experience as a player, coach, manager and general manager, Lou brings a rare combination of in-depth knowledge and experience to YES which is second to none," said John J. Filippelli, president of production and programming, YES Network.  "He is a true student of the game and has a genuine love of the game, and he will make his presence felt across various YES platforms throughout the season."

Piniella played for the Yankees from 1974-84, winning two World Series in 1977 and 1978. He served as the team's manager from 1986-87, before taking over as general manager at the start of the 1988 season. He resumed his manager duties midway through that season. He also managed the Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs, before retiring in 2010.