8/22 "Q" takes over on Monday

Third base coach Mike Quade takes over as the Cubs interim manager, starting Monday. He’s a candidate for the job. It was quite the day Sunday as Quade took part in a coaching clinic at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, then a simulated game with pitcher Carlos Silva at 10 a.m., and then batting practice.

GM Jim Hendry picked the third base coach known as “Q” over bench coach Alan Trammell because Trammell apparently is not a candidate for the job next season.

“Alan’s a tremendous human being, quality person, outstanding coach,” Hendry said Sunday. “I spoke to Alan this morning and basically told Alan over the last few weeks, I’ve made a decision in the process moving forward that Alan would not be considered for the managerial job after this year.”

Quade, 53, a Chicago native, who has managed in the Minor Leagues for 17 seasons, has spent the last four on Piniella’s coaching staff.

“It’s probably not the way you envisioned it,” Quade said about his first big league gig.

Piniella met with the coaching staff prior to Sunday’s game to tell them he was going to retire early to go home and be with his mother, who was ill.

“I’m proud to be a part of this,” Quade said of the Cubs. “We’ll work hard to do a good job and finish up these six weeks and see where it takes us.”

– Carrie Muskat