CHICAGO — Joe Maddon was hired as manager of the Chicago Cubs on Friday, hours after the team fired Rick Renteria.

Chicago, without a World Series title since 1908, announced the hiring about two hours after announcing the firing.

Long regarded as one of baseball’s best managers, Maddon opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay after Andrew Friedman left the Rays’ front office to take over the Los Angeles Dodgers’ baseball operations on Oct. 14.

Maddon had a 754-705 record in nine seasons in Tampa Bay, leading the club to four playoff appearances, two AL East titles and a five-game loss to Philadelphia in the 2008 World Series. The two-time AL Manager of the Year was the bench coach for six seasons under Angels manager Mike Scioscia, then was hired by Tampa Bay in November 2005.

Renteria had two years left on the contract he signed with the Cubs last November. Cubs President Theo Epstein said Renteria deserved to come back next season as the Cubs continue their rebuilding effort but Maddon’s unexpected decision to opt out of his contract with the Rays changed the equation.