podcast, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel

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CHICAGO - Right after Joe Maddon opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay, the Chicago Cubs were mentioned as a possible landing spot for one of baseballs best managers.Flush with prospects and ready to make a splash in free agency, the Cubs already had a manager in Rick Renteria. But they just couldnt resist the lure of Maddons sudden availability.Looking for a turnaround after five consecutive losing seasons, the Cubs announced Friday that they had hired Maddon to replace Renteria after just one year on the job. The move pairs the respected Maddon with a promising roster and a franchise with far more resources than he ever enjoyed with the small-market Rays.Renteria was fired after leading Chicago to a 73-89 record in his only season as a major league manager. It was a seven-win improvement from 2013, the last of Dale Sveums two years in charge, but not close to reaching the playoffs or putting the Cubs in position to win their first World Series title since 1908.Maddon — who may be as well suited as anyone in the industry to manage the challenges that lie ahead of us — had become a free agent, Cubs President Theo Epstein said in a statement.We saw it as a unique opportunity and faced a clear dilemma: be loyal to Rick or be loyal to the organization. In this business of trying to win a world championship for the first time in 107 years, the organization has priority over any one individual. We decided to pursue Joe.Epstein said the Cubs were transparent at all times with Renteria once Maddon became available two weeks ago.Rick often said he was the beneficiary of the hard work of others who came before him, he said. Now, in the young players he helped, we reap the benefits of his hard work as we move forward. He deserved better and we wish him nothing but the best.Renterias agent, Ken Solomon, declined comment. He also said Renteria will not comment.With Renteria in the dugout, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Starlin Castro each had a rebound season, and young sluggers Javier Baez and Jorge Soler were among a group of prospects who showed considerable promise in their first major league action.Now its up to Maddon to help that core group of young players to continue to improve, while paving the way for another wave of heralded prospects that includes third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell.Its a familiar situation for the 60-year-old Hazleton, Pennsylvania native, who deftly guided several young Rays rosters into contention in the rugged AL East.Maddon opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay after Andrew Friedman left the Rays front office to take over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 14.Maddons free agency created a buzz during the World Series, with the talk centring on where he might go and all the possibilities for his new job.The answer became public just two days after San Franciscos Game 7 win over the Royals, with Maddon becoming Chicagos fifth manager since the start of the 2010 season and the 54th in the history of the woebegone franchise.Maddon had a 754-705 record in nine seasons in Tampa Bay, leading the club to four playoff appearances, two AL East titles and a five-game loss to Philadelphia in the 2008 World Series.The two-time AL Manager of the Year was the bench coach for six seasons under Angels manager Mike Scioscia before he was hired by Tampa Bay in November 2005.While the addition of Maddon is a coup for president of baseball operations Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer, the quick hook for Renteria could turn into a problem for the front office down the road.Renteria had two years left on the contract he signed with the Cubs last November, and the inevitable turnover on the major league staff could affect Chicagos ability to attract quality coaches.Renteria, who was the bench coach in San Diego before he got his first opportunity to be a big league manager, already was looking at a different staff for his second year.Hitting coach Bill Mueller resigned after Epstein announced that Mike Brumley would not return as assistant hitting coach. John Mallee, a Chicago native, was hired to replace Mueller, Eric Hinske shifted to assistant hitting coach and former Cubs outfielder Doug Dascenzo was hired as first base and outfield coach.Now their fate is unclear. Same for pitching coach Chris Bosio, who has drawn praise for his work with Jake Arrieta and a couple other pitchers who were traded away by the Cubs after they rebounded until the tutelage of the former major leaguer. Køb Hydro Flask . This week they discuss the Philadelphia 76ers, Gregg Popovich, Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Bill Belichick. Hydro Flask Blå .Tatjana Haenni, FIFAs head of womens competitions, told a FIFA Live Your Goals Tour news conference Friday that the artificial turf is being tested to make sure it meets standards. http://www.danmarkhydroflask.com/ . -- Justin Verlander took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight decision, leading Detroit over the Kansas City Royals 9-4 Sunday and extending the Tigers winning streak to a season-high five games. Hydro Flask 18 OZ Danmark . In this weeks Leaf Report podcast, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel debate whether Toronto can continue their shootout dominance and discuss what Dave Nonis game plan should be heading into the trade deadline. Hydro Flaske Med Sugerør . The Redblacks are taking on the Edmonton Eskimos in their second regular season game Friday night. Catch the game live on TSN as the back end of a doubleheader starting at 10pm et/7pm pt.LONDON -- Seven-time champion AC Milan avoided another early-season hiccup by reaching the group stage of the Champions League with a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, and Celtic produced a stunning comeback to join them on Wednesday. After a 1-1 draw in a tense first leg in the Netherlands, Kevin-Prince Boateng scored twice and Mario Balotelli added another to ensure Milan won the playoff 4-1 on aggregate and advanced to Thursdays draw. At Glasgow, Celtic beat Shakhter Karagandy 3-0 to overcome a 2-0 loss in the first leg. James Forrests stoppage-time goal gave the Scottish champions a 3-2 win on aggregate. Real Sociedad and Zenit St. Petersburg also advanced Wednesday along with Plzen, which progressed after beating Maribor 4-1 on aggregate. Milan, which had a surprise 2-1 defeat to promoted Hellas Verona last weekend in its Serie A opener, qualified for the group stage for the 11th time in 12 seasons, and 17th overall. Boateng unleashed a shot from outside the box into the left-hand corner to put the home team ahead in the ninth minute. Stephan El Shaarawy then came close but saw his shot hit the crossbar Balotelli scored his 13th goal for AC Milan since his move from Manchester City with a volley from close range in the 55th after Phlippe Mexes flicked on a corner from the right. "Were happy. We played a great match. We also played well in the first leg," said Balotelli, who could not play for Milan in the Champions League lasst season after a January transfer.dddddddddddd"Its the Champions League and it means a lot to us to do well." Boateng scored his second goal of the evening after collecting the ball on the left side of the box and firing a shot into the far corner in the 77th. Celtic will play in the group stage for the eighth time after Neil Lennons team produced one of its trademark comebacks. Celtic erased the first-leg deficit with goals from Kris Commons and Giorgos Samaras on either side of halftime before Forrest sealed the home team win from Anthony Stokes cross. "Its the best feeling ever, we are in the Champions League, where we should be," Forrest said. "Weve done it in 90 minutes and that is what we wanted." Real Sociedad will play in the group stage for the first time in 10 years after Carlos Vela scored twice in a 2-0 win over Lyon. The French side had the upper hand in the first half but failed to create real chances and bowed out from the tournament 4-0 on aggregate. Zenit booked its spot in the group stage after beating Pacos Ferreira 4-2 for an 8-3 aggregate. Portugal playmaker Danny scored twice for Pacos before Aleksandr Bukharov and Andrey Arshavin added goals to ensure their Russian club qualified for the Champions League for the fourth time. Arsenal also qualified via the playoffs with a 5-0 win on aggregate over Fenerbahce on Tuesday, alongside Schalke, Steaua Bucharest and Basel. ' ' '