Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs and general manager Jim Hendry have agreed on a four-year contract extension through the 2012 season.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Hendry has been the club's general manager since July 5, 2002 and will enter his 15th season with the organization in 2009. He is already the third-longest tenured GM in franchise history and this year became the first general manager to lead the Cubs to playoff appearances in back-to-back seasons since 1906-08.
"It's an honor to receive this long-term commitment from the Chicago Cubs," said Hendry. "We know there is work to be done in reaching our goal and I thank my staff for their commitment to this organization. We'll continue to do everything it takes to reward our great fans for their dedication to this team."
The Cubs won the National League Central this past season with a record of 97-64, but were eliminated from the playoffs in the division series round for a second consecutive year.
"Jim's leadership and the continuity of our baseball operations department are critical to finishing the job we began six years ago," said Cubs chairman Crane Kenney. "We fell well short of our goal this year and that will fuel our work this offseason."
Hendry has made numerous moves to build the Cubs into a contender, including the re-signing of third baseman Aramis Ramirez and pitcher Carlos Zambrano to long-term deals. He has also landed free agents such as outfielder Alfonso Soriano and pitcher Ted Lilly in the last two offseasons, while making in- season deals to acquire outfielder Jim Edmonds and pitcher Rich Harden.
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"Jim's aggressive nature and tireless dedication to improving our club are well known, but equally important is his assembly of one of the most-talented baseball operations departments in the industry," Kenney added.
Hendry joined the Cubs organization in November of 1994 and spent his first seven seasons as director of player development (1995), scouting director (1996-2000) and assistant general manager (2000-02), overseeing a minor league system that signed and developed current Cubs stars such as catcher Geovany Soto, infielder Ryan Theriot and pitchers Carlos Marmol and Zambrano.
Since Hendry took over as GM, the Cubs have a record of 537-513 with three playoff appearances (2003, '07, '08).
