Getty ImagesThe Virginia Tech massacre in which a gunman killed 33 students and faculty on Monday hit close to home for Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Piniella's son, Derek, played three seasons (1998-2000) for the footbal team and coach Frank Beamer as a linebacker and special teams player. He was on the Hokies team that lost to Florida State for the national championship in the Sugar Bowl in 2000.
''Beamer is a good man, good coach,'' Piniella told the Sun-Times. ''Derek really enjoyed the experience and the school. That tragedy [Monday], it breaks your heart. It's a wonderful campus, and they've got a great administration over there.
''Boy, that's something that tears you apart when you hear about that situation.''
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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