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Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Cubs formally ushered in another new era by introducing former Tampa Bay Rays skipper Joe Maddon as their new manager on Monday. The team also announced that Maddon agreed to a five-year contract in which financial terms were not disclosed, though ESPN reported the deal to be worth $25 million and includes incentives tied to making the postseason. The Cubs moved quickly to obtain Maddons services after the two-time American League Manager of the Year opted out of his contract with the Rays on Oct. 24, shortly after Tampa Bay general manager Andrew Friedman left the organization to become the president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maddon, who guided the small-market Rays to four playoff appearances and the 2008 AL pennant over the past seven seasons, joins a long-suffering Cubs franchise that has endured five consecutive losing campaigns and last won the World Series in 1908. This is a 1-in-107 a year opportunity for me, said Maddon during Mondays press conference. The challenge is so outstanding. How could you not want to be in this seat? The Cubs future appeared bright even before the hiring of the enthusiastic and ever-optimistic Maddon, though. Chicagos present farm system is ranked among baseballs strongest and the Cubs are expected to be significant players in free agency this offseason, something Maddon never experienced during his successful nine-year run with the low-budget Rays. Those factors, coupled with Friedmans departure and the presence of Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein -- who nearly hired Maddon as the Red Sox manager in 2004 while then Bostons GM -- played a role in Maddons decision. I knew there was a lot of common ground philosophically, said Maddon. I know that the synergy between the front office and the manager is really, really important. This is a really good fit for me personally. I feel very comfortable here. The 60-year-old takes over a Cubs team that showed improvement in Rick Renterias lone season as manager, with Chicago posting a 73-89 record in 2014 after winning 66 and 61 games the previous two years. Despite those strides, Epstein informed Renteria last week of his intention to pursue Maddon and make a switch. Renteria was offered another position within the organization but predictably declined. Even though they annually operated with one of the lowest payrolls in the majors, the Rays were a consistent contender for much of Maddons reign. Lauded for his ability to work with young players and to maximize the available talent on hand, the charismatic manager guided Tampa to six consecutive winning seasons that began with the unexpected 2008 World Series run. Joe is a combination of just about everything we look for in a manager, said Epstein. Everyone associates him with new-school because theyve used analytics in Tampa and hes so open-minded and so progressive. But this is an old-school baseball guy with a wealth of knowledge. Its hard to find old- school and new-school in the same package. The Rays, who had never won over 70 games in their first 10 seasons prior to that 2008 breakthrough, also reached the playoffs in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Maddon amassed a 754-705 overall record in Tampa Bay, easily the most of any manager in club history. China Shoes 2020 . - Joao Plata scored twice in the final 24 minutes, including the winner in stoppage time, to help Real Salt Lake remain unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over the winless Chicago Fire on Saturday night. Cheap Nike Shoes From China . Ryan Getzlaf certainly got them started in the second. Getzlaf scored the first two goals in the second, and Teemu Selanne scored the go-ahead goal late in the period as the Anaheim Ducks beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 Thursday night. https://www.wholesaleshoesusa.com/ . And theyre pointing to the NHLs biggest market: Toronto. With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services. Discount Shoes For Sale . An in-person hearing allows for Garbutt to be suspended for five games or longer as per the leagues Collective Bargaining Agreement. Garbutt delivered a high hit to Penner in the second period of Sundays game. Cheap Shoes Free Shipping . Roma has a game in hand but now second place is even at risk for the capital side as Napoli moved to within three points with the win. "The result is not always fair," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. "If we play like this until the end we will win many matches.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies just knocked off the NBAs best and will turn their attention to the defending world champions Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. The Grizzlies ended a 16-game winning streak by the Golden State Warriors with Tuesdays 105-98 victory at FedExForum to improve to 20-4. Marc Gasol had 24 points and seven rebounds, while Zach Randolph and Mike Conley scored 17 points apiece for the Grizzlies. Vince Carter provided 16 points in a winning cause. Our defense held firm, it was great to see Vince Carter get going, Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said. Memphis has won five in a row and is 8-3 on the road this season. San Antonio has alternated wins and losses over the last six games and dropped a 108-95 decision at Portland on Monday. Kawhi Leonard had 21 points and nine rebounds, while Aron Baynnes and Kyle Anderson each scored 15 points for the Spurs.dddddddddddd San Antonio rested Tim Duncan for the game and Manu Ginobili (lower back contusion), Tony Parker (strained left hamstring) and Tiago Splitter (calf) all sat out with injuries. We competed, but turnovers killed us, Spurs guard Cory Joseph said. We just didnt execute as well as we shouldve. Leonard (hand) and Tony Parker (hamstring) are expected to miss Wednesday nights game, while Ginobili and Tiago Splitter are questionable. Ginobili is dealing with a lower back issue and Splitter has a sore calf. The Spurs handed the Grizzlies a 107-101 setback on Dec. 5 and were led by Ginobilis 17 points. Danny Green scored 16 points and both Duncan and Parker had 14. Gasol posted 28 points and 12 rebounds for Memphis. San Antonio leads the all-time series with Memphis, 58-18. ' ' '