Cubs give Baker the dust off

Dusty Baker's roller coaster four-year tenure as manager of the Chicago Cubs is over.

The Cubs decided not to renew the popular skipper's contract Monday after the team finished last in the National League Central with a record of 66-96. The 96 losses were the most in the National League and third-most in baseball behind Tampa Bay and Kansas City.

"I would like to thank everyone in the organization for giving me the opportunity to come here and try to win this thing," said Baker, whose goal was to bring a World Series crown to the Windy City.

"I wish we could have gotten it done, but we didn't. I guess all things must come to an end."

Baker's tenure ended theday after team president resigned

The news came one day after team president Andy MacPhail resigned after the team's final game of the regular season, a victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Bakerwas inthe final year of a four-year, $14-million US contract with the Cubs, who were hampered all season by injuries to key players Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and first baseman Derrek Lee.

Wood and Prior both began the season on the disabled list and combined for only 13 starts throughout the campaign.

Cubs manager's four-year record was 322-326

Baker compiled a 322-326 record in his four years with the Cubs, but couldn't guide the franchise to a World Series title.The Cubs came within five outs of their first World Series appearance since 1945 in 2003, but that was as close as they came under Baker's tenure.

The Cubs were five outs away from reaching the Fall Classic in 2003, but couldn't hold a lead against Florida in Game 6 of the NLCS and went on to lose the seventh game as well.

Chicago has made the playoffs only four times since 1945 and has not won a World Series since 1908.

"My time here in Chicago was a very good time and I learned a lot," added Baker. "Like I said, I wish we could have gotten it done. I want to thank my players for the effort that they have given us."

The 57-year-old Baker guided the Cubs to a division championship in 2003 and led the Cubs to back-to-back winning seasons (2003-2004) for the first time since 1971-1972, but in 2005 the team struggled with a 79-83 record.

Baker joined the Cubs after a successful 10-year run with the San Francisco Giants. He notched a record of 840-715 with San Francisco, finishing in first or second place in the National League West eight times.

A three-time National League Manager of the Year, Baker led the Giants to the World Series in 2002, losing to the Angels in seven games.

"I fully expect to stay in baseball in some capacity," added Baker. "I am not exactly sure in what way yet, but I am going to go home and be with my family for a few days."