The 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.''

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Sosa’s skin undergoing color change   Phillies decline option on Feliz Blyleven: Yanks on top, but dynasty talk premature   Vote, discuss: Will the Yankees repeat in 2010? Blog: ‘The Yankees are smug and they are haughty’ World Series rematch? Don’t count it out When confetti runs out, Yankee fans toss files Blog: Tim Lincecum, social pioneer? Um, no Blog: Torre might stay in L.A. beyond next season Jays GM Anthopoulos hints at Halladay trade Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: