Trebelhorn to Manage Cubs : Baseball: He gets nod over Muser and becomes team’s 11th manager in 11 years, replacing Lefebvre.

The Chicago Cubs spun their managerial merry-go-round again Wednesday, hiring Tom Trebelhorn as the team’s 11th manager in 11 years.

Trebelhorn, a Cub coach and former Milwaukee Brewer manager, replaces Jim Lefebvre, who was fired Oct. 6 after leading the Cubs to only their third season over .500 since 1972.

Trebelhorn beat out Cub coach Tony Muser for the job. Both were put through two days of psychological tests by professional interviewers.

“It’s a great thing,” Trebelhorn said. “It’s something you work for. I was fortunate to get the opportunity in Milwaukee, and just as fortunate to get it back here.”

Trebelhorn managed the Brewers from 1986-91, and Muser was on his coaching staff from 1986-89. Trebelhorn had been with the Cubs the last two seasons as a bench coach. Muser finished his first season as the Cubs’ bullpen coach after 13 years in the Milwaukee organization.

General Manager Larry Himes said he looked outside the organization, but decided Muser and Trebelhorn were his only candidates. He said he would feel comfortable with either as manager, and the other would stay as a coach.

“It was a tough call on both of them,” Himes said. “It came down to making a decision on who was going to be the manager, and it turned a little on experience, Tom being in the National League for two years and being bench coach. But it wasn’t easy. Tony has some very good credentials. They were two very good choices.”

Himes said he expected Trebelhorn to help the team’s running game, noting that when Trebelhorn was with Milwaukee the Brewers led the league in stolen bases.

The Cubs scheduled a news conference for today to announce the appointment.