Pass the Mike
Eternal Underdog Quade Gets the Gig

Jeff Curry/US PRESSWIRE

We're betting 99 out of 100 Cubs fans couldn't pick Mike Quade out of a lineup a few months back. And yet he's now the Cubs manager. The announcement was made official yesterday at a press conference, where GM Jim Hendry called Quade "the perfect man for the job." The job came down to Quade and Ryne Sandberg, and the interim manager got the nod. "Mike's work the last six weeks of the season was outstanding," Hendry said. Quade is the team's 51st skipper. Good luck, Mike. Lord knows you'll need it.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Cubs stick with Quade: 'Perfect man for the job'
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago Cubs name Mike Quade manager
ESPN Chicago: Cubs, Quade ready to get back to business
Daily Herald: Quade new Cubs manager
CSN Chicago: Quade press conference part 1 | part 2 [video]

Who's the Man?
The Reasons Quade Earned the Job
OK, so it's Quade. The big question now: Why did the Cubs make this call? ESPN's Bruce Levine says it's more than the team's 24-13 record under him. Rather, it's the discipline he instilled in the team: from making them take two rounds of batting practice to benching Starlin Castro after some mental errors, Quade laid down the law. Big League Stew is a little more cynical, saying Quade was hired simply to mind the fort while the kids got their playing time. And Crain's Ed Sherman says it came down to one word: Money.

ESPN Chicago: Quade impressed Cubs with changes
Big League Stew: Why did the Cubs really Quade to be their next manager?
Crain's: Breaking down the decision to hire Quade

Ryno Reaction
Where Does this Move Leave Sandberg?
Like Charlie Brown asking "how did the other team feel?" after Linus described a phenomenal last-second win, we can't help but wonder how Ryne Sandberg is taking this news. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed," the Hall of Fame second baseman told ESPN 1000's Waddle and Silvy Show. "It's a disappointing day for sure." It seems Sandberg won't be heading back to Iowa, so does this mean he's done with the Cubs? Sure feels that way. Wow, pretty shocking, no?

ESPN Chicago: Ryne Sandberg still wants to manage [+ Sandberg audio]
Daily Herald: Sounds like goodbye for Sandberg
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs' hiring of Quade severs ties with team great...
Muskat Ramblings: Sandberg: 'No regrets'

Great Move, Cubs!
Why the Cubs Did the Right Thing
It seems many people think hiring Mike Quade was the best move the Cubs could make — with the occasional caveat. "He probably is the Cubs' best fit," says the Daily Herald's Mike Imrem, who also adds he'd really rather have Joe Girardi. Agony & Ivy said Quade earned the call with his stellar minor-league record and "short but impressive major-league track record," while Cubs players Ryan Dempster and Koyie Hill were psyched about the decision. And in the end, maybe that's the most important thing.

Daily Herald: No Girardi? Then Quade a fine choice
Agony & Ivy: Cubs make right call with Quade
MLB: Players pleased with selection of Quade
Bleed Cubbie Blue: Mike Quade, new Cubs manager, "Gets it"
ESPN Chicago: For Cubs, Q could be the answer

Terrible Move, Cubs
Why the Cubs did the Wrong Thing
Some people believe the Cubs simply blew this decision, and that Ryne Sandberg deserved the nod. Promoting Ryno was a "no-brainer," the Trib's Phil Rogers said. Sandberg was not only dedicated enough to go from the Hall of Fame to riding the bus with minor leaguers, but he also won: He took his team to the league championship and had the most wins in the Triple-A league. The Score's baseball expert Matt Spiegel says the Cubs never really considered Sandberg or Joe Girardi, and that the Cubs "deserved a clean slate change of regime."

Chicago Tribune: Cubs turn their backs on Sandberg
CBS Chicago: Spiegel: Quade deserves it, but Cub fans deserve better
Des Moines Register: You're happy for Mike Quade, but did the Cubs give...

Joe Girardi offered his "congrats to Mike"... As usual, The Heckler offers its own unique analysis of the Quade hire... Cubby-Blue has already created new Mike Quade artwork.

Submit your Rant on Facebook
*Don't be a Sox fan... be clever. If it's smart enough, we'll publish it here.
What's this?