USA – Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella and General Manager Jim Hendry are scheduled to be the keynote speakers at the Iowa Cubs First Pitch Luncheon on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at HyVee Hall in downtown Des Moines. The doors will open at 10:30 a.m., with the luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are $30 a person or $300 for a table of 10 and can be purchased online by visiting www.iowacubs.com or by calling the Iowa Cubs at 515-243-6111 or 1-800-GO-ICUBS.

Piniella was recently named the 2008 National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America after guiding the Cubs to their second consecutive playoff berth. Chicago’s 97 wins in 2008 was a National League best and the second-most wins by any club Piniella has managed. Only Seattle’s 2001 club had more, with 116 wins. 2009 will mark Piniella’s third season as skipper of the Chicago Cubs.

Hendry became the first general manager in franchise history to assemble a Cubs team that made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Overall, he has seen three of his six clubs make the playoffs (2003, 2007 and 2008), the lone general manager in club history to take three teams to the postseason. Hendry recently agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2012 season.

2009 will be Hendry’s 15th season with the organization. Prior to being named the team’s general manager on June 2, 2002, Hendry spent time as the director of player development (1995), the scouting director (1996-2002) and assistant general manager (2000-02). He is already the third-longest tenured general manager in franchise history, trailing only John Holland (1957-1975) and James Gallagher (1940-49).

The Iowa Cubs begin the 2009 season on April 9 in Round Rock. The Cubs’ home opener is on Friday, April 17 and will be followed by a fireworks show. 2009 season tickets are now available by calling the Iowa Cubs at 515-243-6111 or visiting us online at www.iowacubs.com.

Media Release: Iowa Cubs

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