Sandberg sings familiar tune

Baseball: Cradling his grandson in the TV booth while singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Ryne Sandberg looked like he was campaigning for public office.

But the job Sandberg covets is the one in the Cubs’ dugout, and he’ll have to wait another year before finding out if he’s manager Lou Piniella’s successor.

Rest assured, his hat is the first one in the ring.

“That’s no secret,” Sandberg said. “This would be the ultimate.”

The Hall of Fame second baseman, who guided Double-A Tennessee to the Southern League Championship Series last month, will be on a short list of candidates for Piniella’s job.

But he’s by no means a shoo-in. A lot can happen in the next year, and general manager Jim Hendry has made it clear he won’t even think about the vacancy until the 2010 season is over.

The Cubs are planning on bringing their coaching staff back, so there won’t be any room on Piniella’s staff in 2010.

“That’s understandable,” Sandberg said. “I’m just waiting to see where I’ll be headed next year, and to continue to contribute to the organization and gain experience and really enjoy it along the way.”

Sandberg said it was “good to know” he has the support of a large segment of Cubs fans, but ultimately the decision rests in the hands of Hendry.

Incoming owner Tom Ricketts is reportedly a Sandberg booster, but has yet to speak publicly about his plans.

Associated Press

Chiefs lose to Americans

Hockey: The Spokane Chiefs were whipped 6-2 by their rivals, the Tri-Cities Americans, in a Western Hockey League game at Kennewick.

Story, C3