Lou Piniella Yankees Baseball Card 1976 Topps No. 453 - Excellent Condition, See Photos ... Includes FREE SHIPPING. Note the projected collectibles, vintage, antiques, and memorabilia, U.S. market shows substantial growth on-average 6.5% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) to reach $280 Billion revenue by 2033. Louis "Lou" Piniella, affectionately known as "Sweet Lou," had a significant impact on the New York Yankees both as a player and later as a manager. As an outfielder and designated hitter, he spent 11 seasons with the Yankees (1974-1984), a tenure during which the team achieved considerable success, winning five American League East titles, four American League pennants, and back-to-back World Series championships in 1977 and 1978. Piniella was known for his competitive fire and clutch hitting, finishing his playing career with a .291 batting average. After retiring as a player, he transitioned directly into the Yankees coaching staff as a hitting coach before being named manager prior to the 1986 season. He managed the Yankees for parts of three seasons (1986-1988), compiling a record of 224 wins and 193 losses, and even briefly served as the teams general manager in 1988.