Piniella Not Under Inquiry, Vincent Says

Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent said today that his office is not investigating Cincinnati Reds Manager Lou Piniella, whose name surfaced in a published transcript of George Steinbrenner’s two-day hearing on the Yankee owner’s paying of $40,000 to gambler Howard Spira.

The transcript, published by The National sports daily, quoted Steinbrenner as saying one of the reasons he gave the money to Spira was that he feared he would reveal information on the gambling habits of Piniella, a former Yankee player, manager and general manager.

“We looked into it and there’s nothing to it,” Vincent said.

The commissioner later issued a statement clearing the Cincinnati Reds manager.

“Regrettably, the release of Mr. Steinbrenner’s testimony without my approval or prior knowledge has caused the disclosure of the names of people who are not involved in my investigation,” Vincent said. “Lou Piniella’s name was raised by Mr. Steinbrenner. John Dowd subsequently interviewed Mr. Piniella, who cooperated fully.”

Dowd was hired by Vincent to submit a report to him on Steinbrenner’s dealings with Spira.

“I am satisfied that Lou Piniella did not engage in any activity warranting further attention from my office. I regret that the public disclosure of this testimony had unfairly insinuated Mr. Piniella into this affair. Mr. Piniella is in good standing with me and my office.”

The newspaper said Steinbrenner wrote a letter to the commissioner after the hearings, acknowledging that, “in hindsight, I used poor judgment in giving Spira the $40,000.”