I'm transcribing this afternoon's developments for posterity. This is a transcript of what MacPhail said at today's news conference. I will clean it up later, but it is being rushed to readers for the sake of immediacy.

Update: 7:06 p.m. I have added the transcripts of Dennis Fitzsimon's interview, and John McDonough.

Andy MacPhail, former President and CEO of the Chicago Cubs

"You've got the release, so obviously this isn't my proudest day. I wanted to tell you about how this came about. I've worked for the Tribune Company now for twelve years and the arrangement we've always had is a hand-shake deal. And the deal was that the relationship
would continue as long as both parties are happy with it and content.

"This July I met with my direct report, Crane Kenney, and we went
through a review of the entire team from A-Z. And when we got up to me, you know obviously this has been an awful season. I reminded
Crane that this relationship has always one where both parties have to be satisfied that they're getting everything they need out of
the other party and if you need my resignation, you can have it when you want it. Crane thanked me. They talked about it for a little
while. About two weeks later, I met with Dennis Fitzsimons who is the CEO of Tribune company.

"I should go back and say before that
it's just not the season, it's not just the fact that we've had just a terrible season. But look, I've been here twelve years. Twelve
seasons and only two post-seasons. And to me, that's not what I came here to do. Obviously, I haven't been as effective as I wanted to
be. I think it's pretty thin soup for a franchise that's had a payroll generally in the top four or five or six or seven over the
course of that time. We should be doing better and we're not. I'm the CEO and I'm responsible.

"I did meet with Dennis a couple of weeks later. It's obvious to me that the losses were wearing on Dennis. He's a very competitive
guy. He wants to win. It was at that point he said, 'Hey look Andy, we've just got to try something different. It's time.'

They said a lot of nice things, which I appreciate, but I agree. It's time. The clock on the MacPhail-o-meter has run down to zero. We
agreed that I would, at the end of the season, we agreed that I would give up my day to day responsibilities as the President and
Chief Executive Officer.

I will stay on with the Cubs though, only as it relates to league matters, things I've already taken on. Some responsibilities I already have. I'll help whatever transition period they need to get the next guy in place and then I would expect
that it will be time to go our different ways. So, that's how we got to where we are today."

Question: Where was the major malfunction over the twelve years?

AM: "What's most frustrating to me is just a lack of consistency. This year is an example to a degree. Jim goes out and he makes several acquisitions Eyre, Howry, Jones, Pierre. And if you look at the basis of the stats at the end of the season they gave you pretty much what you had a right to expect and hope.

"But, it was the foundation that he thought he was building on that just sort of evaporated on him. And it's been a curious thing with this franchise. The last couple of years, three now, at least the last two. we've had our highest priced players on the disabled list for most of the season. So anything that you think you have, when you go out and make additions, those guys have generally paid off, but something you though you had in place evaporates by the time the next season goes along.

"The Measure of inconsistency, that quotient has been higher here than I think it is with most clubs, I wish I could tell you why that was."

Q: (On lack of developing position players through the minors?)

AM: "I've thought about that a lot and I'll give you like three different things. First of all, it's something that I've studied and continue to study a great deal.

"One is that we place an emphasis on pitching because if you look at teams that win and go into the post season they do it with pitching. And we placed an emphasis intentionally on pitching and if you make any objective study over the last ten, twelve years, the Cubs have developed more pitching than any team in the big-leagues. So we've done great.

"With position players we've done poor. We don't have the numbers that we have [with pitching], part of that is just, you know by the fact that we emphasize pitching. Part of that is just that we haven't done as good of a job as we should have. And the only reason that I didn't say we've done very poorly is because if you look at guys like Hee Seop Choi and Bobby Hill even, they help bring you Derrek Lee and they help bring you Aramis Ramirez. So, that has just as much value really as players coming in and playing on your club."

Q: Unintelligible question about continuity?

AM: "We've certainly had continuity. I've been here twelve years and if you go back and look at the people responsible for the operation over twelve years in the Major Leagues, club by club. You're not going to find too many people with twelve years longevity. So I think the Tribune did their part by the longevity. We just haven't had... look it's about winning games.

I've been in this business my entire life. I was born to it. I've done just about every job imaginable in it. From selling program space in Midland, Texas to scouting in the midwest league to being a GM, a President, negotiating collective bargaining agreements. There's one rule that applies to everybody. You gotta win. And if you don't win, it's subject to change. That's what this business is about. It's always been about winning."

Q: If Payroll hasn't been an issue under Dennis, what then is the issue?

AM: "Too much of the payroll has been sitting on the the sidelines. It's nobody's fault. It's just fact. Whether it was Nomar and Kerry last year, or D-Lee this year. Obviously, it's not D-Lee's fault that he broke his wrist, but you've had too much of it that hasn't been able to be applied on the field. I don't mean that in the way of excuses, it's just a fact."

Q: How much of this has simply been bad luck?

AM: "Some of it is that we're gonna have to... I shouldn't say we anymore... but you know, We tried to do this last year, but you're gonna have to do what you can to make durability a key component of making evaluations as to what players you bring on. Nobody can do anybody any good if they're not on the field."

Q: What's next?

AM: "I figure I'll have to go through this exercise I'm in New York, presently. When that's done, whatever transitionary period I can help Tribune with, I will do. After that, I do not have a clue at this point what I'll do.

Q: Some people say you're going to be the next commissioner.

AM: "Hard to reconcile that with the team that had the season we had now. We're going through this announcement and you're asking me if I'm going to be the commissioner. I've always found that to be a little incongruous, but I appreciate it. It's nice that you have confidence in me." (laughs)

Q: Will you stay involved with the CBA negotiations?

AM:"I will finish out the CBA. Now, I will stay affiliated with the Cubs through that transition period. Pretty much at the league level. As far as the day to day is concerned. From this time forward, I will have no say in the day to day decisons." (MacPhail tears up)

Q: You seem very emotional.

AM: "I am. This is the first thing I've done in baseball that I didn't have a high level of success at." MacPhail leaves the microphone and makes a joke about going one question too long.

Dennis Fitzsimons, Chairman and CEO of Tribune Company

DF: "First of all, I want to thank Andy MacPhail for his contributions over the last twelve years to the Cubs organization. This is a difficult day concluding what has been a difficult season.

"I know that no one is more disapointed about that than Andy. He is a good man. All of you know that he has represented the Cubs organization with the highest standars of integrity.

"As you can see from the press release, as Andy focuses on ensuring a smooth transition here and negotiating the collective bargaining agreement in New York, John McDonough will step up to be interim president. All of you in this room know John, and that he's probably been running the best marketing operation in baseball. He's creative, knowledgable, agressive, and he's been around the game for twenty three years. He can translate that work ethic and passion that generated his past success for the cubs in a wider role for the organization.

"This job is not about producing marketing results, it's about winning. John is going to work with Jim Hendry and the rest of the organization to prepare for 2007. They have one mandate, and that is to win for our incredibly loyal Cubs fans. They are going to focus on every facet of the organization to determine what we can do better to deliver a winner for our fans.

"John will step up here in minute. I'll just take a couple of questions."

Q: Can you talk about the positive impact that Andy made from the Bleacher expansion to the preservation of the ballpark without compromising it's history, but updating it?

DF: "Sure, Andy's done a wonderful job keeping in mind the tradition of Wrigley Field and also keeping the fans first. The bleacher expansion is the best example of trying to add amenities for the fans while adding revenue potential so we had a better chance to win.

"That was Andy's mission and he did many, many wonderful things as I said, and we thank him for his contributions."

Q: Is there going to be a search committee for a new President?

DF: "John McDonough will be the point person for decision making with the Cubs. Jim Hendry, we have tremendous confidence in Jim and his ability to bring a winner here next year. And John will work on that with Jim to give him the resources to do that."

Q: But he is interim? How long will the interim period be?

DF: "He is interim as the transition goes through. We will consider our options, but we are fortunate to have someone of John's talent and aggressiveness in our own building.

Q: In your mind, was it just the events of this season that led you to make the change. Is it this season or were there some other things?

DF: "I think Andy said it best. We both felt we needed a change. I think somebody asked a question about Andy's future, and I don't think there is any doubt that Andy's gonna have positions in baseball that will continue to have a significant impact, and we wish him nothing but the best."

Q: In light of Pressures on Dennis and other companies in the Tribune. Was this just something else that was one more thing that you couldn't accept the failure of this franchise and what you have invested in these last few years?

DF: "You know, it's always good to see you guys. I could have done without this press conference.

"This is a baseball decision. It's an issue of making sure our fans know that we are committed to winning. Andy MacPhail has been committed to winning, For whatever reasons it didn't work out, and we're at this point getting ready to work on 2007 and those baseball decisions will continually be made out here at Wrigley Field."

Q: On the Tribune selling the team?

DF: "We retained financial advisors last week to look at strategic alternatives. We will not be discussing the sale of any individual assets."

Q: "So you are going to keep the team for the time being?"

DF: "Yes, yes, yes."

John McDonough, former vice-President of Marketing, currently interim President of the Chicago Cubs

JM: "Very mixed emotions. Andy MacPhail is one of the classiest, most dignified people that I have ever come across in baseball life, social life, baseball, anything. He added so many things to this organization. Countless things, and I think he's gonna have a good legacy.

JM: "My goal is singular. The purpose of why I have been asked to do this job is for the Cubs to win the World Series. Not win the wild card or win the division or win the pennant, but it's time to win. It's time to win the World Series. And I think we need to reward these tens of millions of fans who have waited for a long time.

"I just witnessed something miraculous where you saw... we're thirty games under .500. You see thirty some thousand people standing, in unison, at the last out singing 'Go Cubs Go' at the end as if we just clinched the division. So they need to be rewarded. We need to win. We will win. We will win the World Series. And the goal is to win consistently. Anything short of that. I will not be doing my job.

"Dennis had mentioned about the marketing efforts before. It's a different position. It's a different role. I had a conversation as this unfolded earlier in the week with Crane Kenney, who I have tremendous respect for. And he has a great feel for our industry as
well. We had a conversation. And later in the week I met with Dennis Fitzsimons. So this is a relatively recent development. But it is
with mixed emotions because everybody in this building feels better for having worked with Andy MacPhail for twelve years.

"It's pretty simple. Jim Hendry and I have known each other and have worked very closely together and we've been very close from day one. I have great respect for Jim. We have great people here. Mark McGuire our executive vice president for business operations is one
of the primary reasons this franchise draws three million people a year.

From top to bottom we're gifted to have very, very solid
people. I'm honored. I'm privilideged to have this position and I certainly understand what my responsibilities are. As Dennis said, I
think my response to things is to be aggressive. I do know what I don't know. I think I ask very good questions, and I am a results
oriented person."

Q (Bruce Levine): "How will your position as it has been described to you by your superiors differ from the way Andy was dealing out his priorities, his delegation and his role as President?"

JM: "The responsibilities as they are outlined are similar, what my role with the organization is going to be. The job is to win. That made it very clear. Andy MacPhail is a winner. He won two World Series with the Minnesota Twins. Andy's baseball royalty. It's an honor to follow in his footsteps. As we sit here today on October the First, we look at this and say, for next season and beyond. and beyond that... we need to win the World Series."

Q: "Will you have a hand in naming the new manager if there is one?"

JM: "I have great faith in Jim Hendry. Jim and I talked this afternoon. We certainly will talk about it tomorrow. There hasn't been a decision made that I'm aware of. So i think we're gonna leave that up to Jim. But we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Q: (George Castle) Uninteligble question.

JM: "I have to go back and say that I have a very good relationship with Crane Kenney. This is all relatively new to me as well. I have a lot of things to learn. I have a lot of questions to ask. So, that is something I'm going to find out in the very near future.

"When they offered me the position. It was with the understanding that it is my job to run the organization. I think the Tribune has been a tremendous owner for the Chicago Cubs. And probably there have been some instances when we may not have been as prudent and
judicious as we could have been on some acquisitions."

Q: What is it like to go from being in charge of fan experience to actually being in charge of making this a winning organization. It is a very different role.

JM: "The greatest fan experience is winning. It's not about marketing. It's not about being creative it's not about bringing people into the ball park or the seventh inning stretch or any of these other things. It's all about winning. Winning is the greatest
marketing idea of all time.

"So, from the standpoint of being aggressive. That is my style. It's important that I listen and I understand parts of the organization that I'm not familiar with and I plan on doing a lot of that in the next few weeks."

Q: What happens to Marketing?

JM: "Well I'd like to tell you that this master plan is already in place... This is a recent development. It just happened. We happen to have very good people in place in the marketing office. Jay Blunk has done a great job in his role for quite a long time and Mark McGuire has done a spectacular job overseeing our business operation. Those are decisions that will be made in the near future."

Q: Realistically, when can the Cubs win the World Series?

JM: "Well, Realistically, you want to go into every season thinking you are going to win the World Series. Our goal is to win the World Series next year and the year after that. I think you have to be careful and realistic, but with the resources we're given and
with the decisions that need to be made. I think that the Cubs will win the World Series, and I think the Cubs will win the World
Series soon."

Q: How are you going to go about that?

JM: "We're early in the process again. I laid out to Crane and Dennis what my plan would be. I'd like to discuss it with them further. I'd like to spend some time and talk to Andy MacPhail, which I will do in the near future. I think they felt that it was the right direction, that it was the right plan. Now, there are twenty nine other teams in baseball that have the same feeling.

"Getting back to what I said earlier. We need to reward these people. These are the greatest fans in the history of sports. We have not won the World Series in 98 years. We have a terriffic General Manager in Jim Hendry. Jim will get all the resources that he needs. It's time to win."

Q: Have you thought about structual changes in the front office?

JM: "I don't have that answer just yet. That's something that will develop over the next few weeks."

Q: John, you've been here 22 years and you have some good institutional memory. Do you have any ideas what has worked with this
franchise since you've been around here that you can apply in your job?

JM: "I think I have an understanding of it. To say I have a great feel for all of this right now, I think would be somewhat disengenous. I hope to develop that in the near future. We have seen success here. My first year was in 1984. We won the division. We
won the division again in 1989, the wild card in '98, the division again in 2003. But, we have to get to that next level, and that
next level is winning the World Series."

Q: Continuity has been a strength for the last twelve years... Will you be changing the farm system or other aspects of the
organization.

JM: "If you're talking about the farm system, my philosophy, and this is again a guy that hasn't spent any time overseeing a baseball operation, is that championship teams are built from the ground up. You have to have a fertile farm system. You have to draft well, you have to develp the players you draft. and You have to see them on a Major League field, and then build around that. That's the important part of any successful organization."

Bruce Levine Q: There was a theory that Andy was a better business person than a baseball person. Will you concentrate more on the baseball aspect than the business aspect?

JM: "I would say that is the most important part of my job. Working very closely with Jim Hendry, getting back to what the mission is: We're here to win. I have great faith that if we do our jobs well, all of us in the operation do our jobs well, we're going to draw well. We need to restore the passion, and the enthusiasm, and the pride of the Chicago Cubs, and we will."