Ex-D'backs manager replaces critical Stone

CHICAGO -- Bob Brenly was hired by the Chicago Cubs as a television analyst Tuesday to replace Steve Stone, who resigned after the team grew unhappy with his critical commentary.

Brenly managed the Arizona Diamondbacks to the 2001 World Series title but was fired halfway through a dismal 2004 season. He signed
a multiyear deal to broadcast the Cubs.

"We're absolutely delighted to have a baseball man of Bob's caliber join WGN and the Cubs," WGN-TV vice president and general
manager Tom Ehlmann said in a statement. "We're looking forward to working with him and having a great relationship."

Stone resigned last month after 20 years with the Cubs. He criticized manager Dusty Baker and his players on the air late in the season as Chicago lost seven of nine and blew a lead in the NL wild-card race. Stone's comments angered Baker and several players -- reliever Kent Mercker even called the broadcast booth during one game to complain.

Brenly was a member of Baker's coaching staff in San Francisco from 1993-95.

Stone's broadcast partner, Chip Caray, the Cubs' TV play-by-play announcer for the last seven years, left the team to join the Atlanta Braves.

WGN and the Cubs are owned by Tribune Co., the parent company of the Chicago Tribune.

After he was fired by the Diamondbacks, the 50-year-old Brenly joined Fox as an analyst during the NL championship series.

Brenly was a member of the Cubs broadcast team with WGN radio from 1990-91. He began his television career in 1996 as a baseball analyst for Fox during the playoffs, the World Series and All-Star games.

Brenly was a television broadcaster for the Diamondbacks from 1998-00 before he was hired as manager in 2001. After the World Series victory over the New York Yankees, he led Arizona to its second consecutive NL West championship in 2002.