Lou Piniella wants to give the Cubs time to plan by announcing his plans to retire at season's end. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)

By Paul Sullivan

Lou Piniella announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of the 2010 season, ending his four-year run in Chicago and his managerial career.

"I couldn't be more appreciative of the Cubs organization for providing me the opportunity to manage this ballclub," Piniella said in a statement. "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 (67 at the end of the season) 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.

"Why make this announcement now? Jim Hendry asked me in recent weeks regarding my future with the team 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 in the future.

"But more importantly, announcing my decision now is what's best for this organization in the long run.  It gives Jim Hendry ample time to find the next manager and he doesn't need to do so in secrecy. The Cubs are one of the greatest organizations in baseball. I care very deeply for this organization and want nothing more than for it to experience present and long-term success. I'm proud of our accomplishments during my time here and this will be a perfect way for me to end my career.

"But let me make one thing perfectly clear: our work is far from over. I want to keep the momentum going more than anything else and win as many games as we can to get back in this pennant race.  I'm going to give every effort I have to help this team win and that will remain my sole focus through the rest of the season.:

The New York Daily News first reported Piniella's decision.

While Piniella gave hints that this would be his final year in an interview with two Cubs beat reporters two weeks ago in Phoenix, he maintained at that time that no final decision had been made, but that Chicago would be his final stop.

"I'm not going anymore," he said. "When I'm done here, I'm going home. I'm going to enjoy my family, enjoy my friends and do things I haven't been able to do for the past 50 years of my life. Im going to enjoy myself a little bit. I got myself a boat last year. It's sitting over there at the marina. My kids use it, which is good. But yeah, I'm not going anywhere. When I'm finished here, I'm going home and that's it."

Piniella's run in Chicago is unlikely to end on a good note, with his team out of contention and his goal of winning a championship unfulfilled. He has been criticized this year for lacking intensity and seeming remote on the bench.

"You know what, truthfully, the media's been very fair to me," he said in Phoenix. "I get some pot shots from time to time. But that's to be expected. But I've enjoyed this whole experience. I really have. And it's been a challenge. It hasn't been easy. This hasn't been easy. I was told coming in by some good friends that this would be an experience of a great magnitude. And they basically were right."

This new mp3 marks the collaborative works of Glen Warren (producer), Sam Greenspan (co-writer), and Mr. Round (vocals and co-writer/creator). He wrote this song not because he is a Cubs fan but because he stumbled upon the obvious and easy parody of the very popular Umbrella. He thinks any casual baseball fan will really get a kick out of this song. Major credit goes to Glen for a spot on recreation of the original. Enjoy!

Lyrics:
[VERSE 1]
This may be the year
We dont cry in our beer
Raise the W high
Been 99 years, its time.
Holy Cow cause the North Side
Is standing tall with pride
Now that our boys can win
Woo-woo can wear a grin
Because


[CHORUS]
When October comes
Well be at Wrigley
Soriano and Lee will be getting jiggy
The Riot has hit the ground running
We all know
Barrett had it coming (Smack sound Ouch)
Now the odds look better than ever
Doesnt hurt that were in the Central (500)
We can win it with our sweet fella
The Pennant is in site thanks to Piniella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under sweet lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under sweet lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Take us there lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)


[VERSE 2]
La Russa is a drunk
Ozzie Guillen es uno punk
Lou puts them all to shame
Throwing bases and taking names
Riggleman couldnt get her done
Dusty Baker was not the one
But now stars are in place
For the NL Pennant Race
Because ...


[CHORUS]
Kendall was such a key replacement
Weve got Bartman chained down in the basement
Zambrano and Hill will mow you down
Then Ramirez will send a ball down town
Jaque Jones will flash some leather
We hear Mark Priors getting better
So what if our bullpen isnt stella
We can still win with our Lou Piniella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under sweet lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under sweet lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Take us there lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)


[BRIDGE]
Love it when you storm the field
Scream at the blue until youre red
Throw second base, oh lou
Kick your hat, you stud
Lous got us excited about the crown
Wont let Rex Grossman get us down


[CHORUS]
When October comes
Well be at Wrigley
Prince Fielder is clearly pigly
Im getting good vibes from kerry wood
Whens the last time the Brewers were any good
The cards are such a weak teama
I mean Who starts Yadier Molina
Sweet Lou even made the Devil Rays swella (Sorta)
Cubs will win it all with our Lou Piniella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under sweet lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Under sweet lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh)
Take us there lou piniella
(ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)


Cubs win (win)
Ooo baby we winna winna
la russas such a wino
Fonteno may be the next ryno
Go Cubbies (Resign Henry Rowengarder)
Ooo baby dont need no sosa
His cork and cream wont do
we will win under Lou