Drive to Cincy turns into an adventure for Piniella

Last update: September 5, 2008 - 9:10 PM

Even the trip to the ballpark is becoming an odyssey for the Chicago Cubs as they try to focus on the quest for their first World Series win in 100 years.

Manager Lou Piniella and first base coach Matt Sinatro decided to drive to Cincinnati from Chicago on Friday. Headed across northern Ohio wth Sinatro behind the wheel and Piniella napping, the pair missed the Interstate 75 turnoff to go south to Cincinnati. They were closing in on the Pennsylvania border before they realized something was wrong.

The two worked their way back toward Columbus in the middle of the state, navigating across rain-slicked, two-lane roads. They finally made it to Great American Ball Park at 5 p.m., completing a trip that took eight hours across two time zones.

"Let me tell you: I wanted to get my mind off baseball for a little bit, I sure as heck did," Piniella said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS