Chicago Cubs Pick Up Option On Manager Piniella

Chicago, IL (AHN) - Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella will remain in the Windy City through the 2010 season after the club picked up its $4 million option on his contract Tuesday.

The 65-year-old Piniella steered the Cubs to a league-best 97-64 mark, and their second consecutive NL Central title.

He became the first Cubs manager to guide the team to consecutive postseason berths since Frank Chance did it first in 1906-08.

In October 2006, Piniella signed a three-year deal with an option for a fourth.

Under his guidance, Chicago posted a 182-141 mark in the regular season, the most in consecutive seasons by a Cubs team since the 1935-36 seasons where they registered a total of 187 wins.

Last season, Chicago was swept by Arizona in the NL Division series.

The NL Central champs are hoping to get past the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs which begin Wednesday, to clinch their first World Series crown in 100 years.