CHICAGO – Larry Rothschild and Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry this afternoon released the following statements after Rothschild accepted a three-year contract from the New York Yankees to serve as their major league pitching coach.

“I’d like to thank Jim Hendry, the Ricketts family, Crane Kenney and the entire Cubs organization for their outstanding support and allowing me to pursue this opportunity with the Yankees,” said Rothschild.  “My reasons for pursuing and accepting this opportunity are personal and family-based, as the Yankees hold spring training in, and travel several times a year to, my hometown of Tampa.  The chance to spend increased time with my family was something I wanted to explore and I am grateful for the opportunity to have done so.

“My nine years with the Cubs were tremendous and I’m proud of the pitching staff I leave behind.  I wish Mike Quade, the Cubs and their great fans the best and look forward to returning to Wrigley Field in June.”

“The Cubs would like to thank Larry Rothschild for nine years of service to this organization,” said Hendry.  “We understand his reasons for pursuing the opportunity with the Yankees and agree he is making the right decision by his family.

“My baseball operations staff and Mike Quade have already begun identifying candidates to replace Larry and expect to have a major league pitching coach in place shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.”