It's official: Sveum new Cubs manager

The Cubs have hired Dale Sveum as their new manager. The announcement came Thursday afternoon, and the Cubs will introduce Sveum to the media Friday morning during a news conference at Wrigley Field.

Sveum, who turns 48 on Nov. 23, most recently was the hitting coach of the Milwaukee Brewers. He worked under new Cubs president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer as a Boston Red Sox coach in 2004-05.

Both the Cubs and Red Sox interviewed Sveum, and he appeared to be the top choice of both teams.

The Cubs also interviewed Pete Mackanin, Mike Maddux, Sandy Alomar Jr. and DeMarlo Hale. Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona had been in telephone contact with Epstein throughout the process, but he took himself out of consideration Wednesday.