The Cubs announced their new manager yesterday -- by simply removing the "interim" from Mike Quade's title. But was this the right decision? Some, like the Tribune's David Haugh, applaud the team's hiring of a baseball lifer who guided the team to a 24-13 record to close out the season after Lou Piniella stepped aside to tend to his ailing mother. Across town, the Sun-Times' Rick Telander thinks that Jim Hendry simply hired one of his buddies as though the Cubs are some sort of city department. more ›

All the excitement is on the South Side this weekend as the Sox mull their Manny move and the Yankees are in town. After claiming the Dodgers’ quirky dreadlocked slugger, the teams will take the weekend to work out a deal to send Manny Ramirez to the Cell. In the meantime, fans were treated to an interesting reminder of Chicago’s sports bona fides last night as the only city to win all the major professional sports titles in the last quarter century with the Commissioner’s Trophy, Vince Lombardi Trophy, Larry O’Brian Championship Trophy, and Stanley Cup were all on display before the game. Oh, and some baseball was played… The Sox opened a three-game home stand by crushing the Yankees 9-4, sending opposing starter A.J. Burnett to the showers in the 4th inning. Freddie Garcia started slow for the good guys, giving up a first inning run off a silly throwing error, but he battened down the hatches from there. All but two Sox batters had hits by the 5th inning. The series continues tonight. (WGN 6:05 p.m.) more ›

2006's baseball season brought disappointment to both sides of Chicago. Coming off their 2005 World Series title, the White Sox won 90 games but missed the playoffs — in spite of a number of roster upgrades during the offseason. Did Kenny Williams tinker too much with the chemistry that won them a title in '05? Last year's team never seemed to find its rhythm. On the North Side, the Cubs climbed ever closer to that... more ›

Leave it to the Cubs to mess up the easiest decision of the off-season, hiring Lou Piniella as their new manager over Joe Girardi. The Cubs and Piniella agreed to a 3-year, $10 million deal that will be announced during a Tuesday press conference. more ›

With all the potential candidates now known, the Cubs' list to fill Dusty Baker's vacancy seems to be: Lou Piniella, Joe Girardi, Bob Brenley and maybe even Buck Showalter -- the last of the managerial casualties. Braves third base coach Fredi Gonzalez had been on early wish lists, but the Florida Marlins snatched him up within hours of dumping Girardi. more ›

Baseball's regular season concluded yesterday, and as expected, the Cubs and Dusty Baker have parted ways. With his 4-year deal expiring, the Cubs chose not to retain his sevices. more ›

Chicagoist is clearly in the camp with those who believe that Dusty Baker's days as Cubs manager are numbered. With his contract expiring, the Cubs floundering and his blaming everybody but himself we just don't forsee Dusty manning the Wrigley dugout come April. more ›