Cubs coach Speier on leave after DUI
July 20, 2006
BY TONI GINNETTI Staff Reporter
Chicago Sun Times
The Cubs put third-base coach Chris Speier on a leave of absence for several days after he was charged early Wednesday with drunken driving.
Shortly after leaving the Cubs-Astros game Tuesday, Speier was stopped several miles from Wrigley Field after allegedly disregarding consecutive stop signs while riding his motorcycle on State Street in the Gold Coast, police said.
The arresting officer smelled alcohol on his breath, and police said Speier failed field sobriety tests after refusing to submit to a Breathalyzer test.
Police reports said Speier, 56, allegedly told the arresting officer he was a coach with the Cubs and asked if he could "give him a break,'' but he didn't persist or cause a scene, police said. Speier, who had an Arizona driver's license, offered to take a taxi home, police said.
Speier was charged with driving under the influence and with traffic violations. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 10.
"We'll do what's best for Chris and felt it was appropriate for him to take some time off,'' Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday. "We anticipate him [coming] back.''
Manager Dusty Baker said he spoke with Speier after the incident.
"He'll take some time off,'' Baker said. "I feel bad for him because he's such a great guy and outstanding baseball man.''
Speier is in his second season as the Cubs' third-base coach. Bullpen coach Juan Lopez worked at third base Wednesday, and special assistant Sonny Jackson dressed in uniform to assist the coaching staff.
Class AAA Iowa manager Mike Quade will join the team today to take over third-base coaching duties until Speier returns. Roving instructor Bobby Dickerson will manage the Iowa Cubs in Quade's absence.
Speier played 19 seasons with five teams, including the Cubs in 1985-86. He has coached for five organizations, including the Arizona Diamondbacks when they won the World Series in 2001
July 20, 2006
BY TONI GINNETTI Staff Reporter
Chicago Sun Times
The Cubs put third-base coach Chris Speier on a leave of absence for several days after he was charged early Wednesday with drunken driving.
Shortly after leaving the Cubs-Astros game Tuesday, Speier was stopped several miles from Wrigley Field after allegedly disregarding consecutive stop signs while riding his motorcycle on State Street in the Gold Coast, police said.
The arresting officer smelled alcohol on his breath, and police said Speier failed field sobriety tests after refusing to submit to a Breathalyzer test.
Police reports said Speier, 56, allegedly told the arresting officer he was a coach with the Cubs and asked if he could "give him a break,'' but he didn't persist or cause a scene, police said. Speier, who had an Arizona driver's license, offered to take a taxi home, police said.
Speier was charged with driving under the influence and with traffic violations. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 10.
"We'll do what's best for Chris and felt it was appropriate for him to take some time off,'' Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday. "We anticipate him [coming] back.''
Manager Dusty Baker said he spoke with Speier after the incident.
"He'll take some time off,'' Baker said. "I feel bad for him because he's such a great guy and outstanding baseball man.''
Speier is in his second season as the Cubs' third-base coach. Bullpen coach Juan Lopez worked at third base Wednesday, and special assistant Sonny Jackson dressed in uniform to assist the coaching staff.
Class AAA Iowa manager Mike Quade will join the team today to take over third-base coaching duties until Speier returns. Roving instructor Bobby Dickerson will manage the Iowa Cubs in Quade's absence.
Speier played 19 seasons with five teams, including the Cubs in 1985-86. He has coached for five organizations, including the Arizona Diamondbacks when they won the World Series in 2001
