Cubs Piniella Retires

Lou Piniella, Chicago Cubs' manager, will retire from baseball at the end of baseball season. Piniella announced his decision on Tuesday before a game against the Astros.

Skipper- 66 years- said he wants to spend more time with his family. He said in announcing his retirement now, right after the All-Star break, it gives the team time to find a replacement.

"I can not be more grateful for the Cubs organization for giving me the opportunity to manage this team of baseball," Piniella said in a statement. "I spent four wonderful years here would not trade for anything in the world.

I love this city and the fans but at my age (67 when the season ends) it is time to enter a new phase in my life. This will allow me to spend more time with my family, My wife, my kids and my grandchildren. God has blessed me to work so many years in the sport I love.

"The reason to make this announcement now?" [General manager] Jim Hendry asked me in recent weeks about my future with the team and said he had made the decision to retire at the end of the season.

Now that you have taken the decision, I do not want to mislead anyone about my intentions when they ask me about my future.

"But more importantly, to announce my decision now is what I think is best for the organization long term. This will give Jim Hendry plenty of time to find the next manager and not have to do it secretly.

The Cubs are one of the best organizations in baseball. I love so much to this organization and wish him only long-term success. I'm happy about my accomplishments during my time here and this will be the perfect way to end my career.

Piniella also said that their work will not end to make this announcement.

"I do not think the team is not nothing but win as many games as we can to return to the fray.'ll Give it all I have to help this team the rest of the season."

Piniella is in the fourth and final year of his contract with the Cubs, who have had a bad campaign and take 102 years without winning a World Series title.

Piniella has been manager for over 22 years. Before coming to Chicago, he managed the New York Yankees (1986-88), Cincinnati Reds (1990-92), Seattle Mariners (1993-2002) and Tampa Bay (2003-05).