Lou Piniella is retiring as manager of the Chicago Cubs effective at the end of the season, the Daily News has learned. The 67-year-old Piniella, who led the Cubs to NL Central division titles in 2007 and 2008, is in the last year of his contract and has endured a particularly stressful last two seasons in which so many of his high-paid players, including outfielder Alfonso Soriano, third baseman Aramis Ramirez and pitcher Carlos Zambrano have underperformed to their salaries. This year, the Cubs are mired in fourth place, 10 1/2 games back and Piniella, who is in the last year of his contract, wanted to end to the speculation about his future for the good of the organization/New York Daily News. More here. (AP file photo of Lou Piniella and Mark McLamore arguing w/ump during Mariner years, in 2002)

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