Lou Piniella to retire at end of season

CHICAGO, July 20 (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella said Tuesday he would retire at the end of the 2010 season, his fourth leading the Cubs and 23rd as a major-league manager.

Chicago had winning seasons each of Piniella's first three seasons as manager but the Cubs are 42-52 and in fourth place in the National League Central going into a game Tuesday against Houston.

Piniella, 66, said he announced his plans because team General Manager Jim Hendry asked him of his plans and "I told him I had made the decision to retire at the end of the season.

"Since my decision has now been made, I don't want to mislead anyone about my intentions when asked about the future," Piniella said in a statement from the Cubs.

Piniella is 307-271 as the Cubs manager and took the team to the division title in 2007 and 2008. Counting his managerial service with the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays, Piniella has a 1,826-1,691 record. He was also voted manager of the year three times.

"I couldn't be more appreciative of the Cubs organization for providing me the opportunity to manage this ballclub," said Piniella. "I've had four wonderful years here that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

"I've grown to love the city and the fans but at my age it will be time to enter a new phase in my life. It will enable me to spend more valuable time with my family -- my wife, my kids and my grandchildren. God has blessed me to have been able to work this many years in the game that I love."