Ryne Sandberg Could Be Next Chicago Cubs Manager

Ryne Sandberg, known affectionately as "Ryno" in Wrigleyville, played 15 seasons for the Chicago Cubs in his Hall of Fame career. He went to 10 All-Star games, won nine gold gloves and brought home an MVP. At present, Sandberg manages the Tennesse Smokies -- the Cubs' Double-A affiliate. He previously managed for the Cubs in Single-A as well, so it appears the Cubs are moving him along in hopes he could one day manage the big-league club.

Current Cubs manager Lou Piniella, whose contract expires at the end of 2010 -- at which point he'll likely retire from managing -- believes Ryno will be considered for the 2011 job opening.

"Ryne had a Hall of Fame career here as a player," Piniella said. "I'm not the one who's going to be hiring the next manager here, but certainly, he'll be in the mix."

Of course, Piniella won't be the one deciding upon his replacement, so it may appear this talk is conjecture, but it's likely he's been involved in internal discussions about the minor-league managing situation. Thus, he's just making an estimate based upon the feelings general manager Jim Hendry has about Sandberg's ability to manage a baseball team.

For 2010, expect Sandberg to remain in Tennessee to further evolve as a quality skipper while Piniella takes care of the Cubs, hoping to rebound from an incredibly disappointing campaign.