Cubs part ways with GM Hendry

Associated Press

CHICAGO

Through his wheeling and dealing, Jim Hendry helped the Chicago Cubs reach the playoffs three times as general manager. He also saddled them with big contracts and underachievers to go with a few troublemakers — and now, he’s out of a job.

The Cubs fired Hendry on Friday amid another disappointing season that will add to their historic championship drought. Assistant GM Randy Bush will serve as interim general manager.

“First and foremost, we just didn’t win enough games,” chairman Tom Ricketts said. “Our team’s performance over the last two years is not where it needs to be.”

Ricketts said it’s time for a “fresh approach in our baseball leadership” and that the search will begin immediately. He said the new general manager will come from the outside, meaning Bush is not in the running, and that he will seek advice from other owners and “industry veterans” on handling the task.

Ricketts also said the new GM will report directly to him, and that whoever gets the job will determine whether manager Mike Quade returns for a second full season.

Ricketts promised a major emphasis on player development and the minor league system, and that Hendry’s replacement will need to be in tune to the newer statistical formulas for analysis.

Hendry said he was informed July 22 that he would not be back next season but agreed to stay on through the non-waiver trade deadline and long enough to sign all the draft picks. He did not tell his two children he was being let go until Thursday night.

“I could have left that day and Tom would have understood but I didn’t think that was the right thing for the group,” he said. “I care too much about the people who work under me. It would have been shameful.”

Ricketts, who took over the Cubs last year.