Cubs Name Quade Manager

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 19, 2010 6:40PM

Why is Mike Quade smiling? It's probably because he's been named the Cubs liked enough of what they saw from his 24-13 record after Lou Piniella retired in August to remove the "interim" title from his job.

A press conference has been scheduled for 3 p.m. where the Cubs will announce they'll stay with Quade, who signed a two-year contract with club option for a third season. In addition to Quade's record the final six weeks of the season, GM Jim Hendry must have liked the way the team responded to Quade's calm leadership and the way they rallied around him long after the team was out of contention to play their best baseball of the season.

Still unknown is what will now happen with Ryne Sandberg. The Hall of Fame second baseman worked his way through the minor league ranks, gaining the experience he believed would merit serious consideration for the Cubs skipper job. It's possible reports last week that Sandberg would join Quade as bench coach may ring true. Or he could stay in the minors, or leave the organization altogether for another vacant manager slot. Sandberg's being passed over for the gig is already leading some Cubs fans trading on sentiment to grouse that Hendry screwed up or should have waited until after the New York Yankees' postseason ends to inquire on the availability of Joe Girardi.