Thank You Internet

and apparently Dale Sveum is about to be named Cubs manager...the value of my 1989 Donruss Set is going to go through the roof!!!

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Ryan Theriot
Cubs Humor
Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:18am
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Comments

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:26am

I wonder if Henry will demand compensation for Sveum.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:27am

+1

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:26am

More proof that he was (S)crappy?
---
Our probable new manager's nickname as a player was "Nuts".

Hopefully that nickname wasn't given to him by Cesar Izturis.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f9e_1183420047

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:29am

Jerry Sandusky says he saw his cup was out of alignment and was just trying to fix it for him.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:26am

Maybe UZR (-14.8 runs per 150 games for Terribliot) is worth a shit.
Holy Cubs-Fan Stalker, Batman! For whoever made that video, though.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:46am

Phil Rogers interviewed on XM right now...

Says Sveum met with Theo/Jed and Tom Ricketts about 5pm last night. Thinks he might have been offered both jobs at one point. Per PR, Muskat broke the news on Maddux bowing out around 9pm and the Cubs-Sveum story broke around 10pm. Said the Cubs job was a safer pick for Sveum.

Rodgers agreed with Kennedy that Valentine is the right person for the Redsox job but also says Sandberg should be brought it just to strike a blow for Luchino against Epstein.

PR was asked if there was a chance they would go after Fielder. Says they have the resources but before this he doubted they would go there. Compared Fielder to Ortiz, saying Fielder has always been a better athlete.

Kennedy asked PR about Mike Maddux. PR said people in Texas were surprised Maddux name came up in manager talks. Too many family factors that was a perfect situation for him to leave.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:49am

certainly be some epic brilliance to hire a manager solely out of spite...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:52am

Does that mean "brought in" to interview or to be the manager?

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:56am

Does that mean "brought in" to interview or to be the manager?
---
consider the source, it was Phil Wrongway Rogers.

I think Rogers meant it would "strike a blow" only if he was hired as manager. No impact if it's just an interview.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:03am

Gammons tweeted "“What a laugh," about the Red Sox insistence on previous major league dugout experience for their candidates.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 2:46pm

Apparently the Cardinals and White Sox think you can just post an ad on Craigslist.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:59am

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/tigers-...

GM Dave Dombrowski has said the Tigers view Martinez as the team's regular DH and third catcher, which means the team is on the hunt for someone who can spell Avila regularly.

Isn't the rule if you're a DH, you can't play any position in the game? Which would mean if he's a DH, he can't be a third catcher (for that game), and if the new backup is the starting catcher, and the plan for the day is to have Martinez as the backup, then he couldn't be the starting DH, so you weaken your lineup in two spots (though I guess you could DH Avilla that day).

Am I missing something?

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:03am

I would think "third catcher" means that he would probably rarely play catcher but be available to do so on days he was not the DH. Then again, I didn't read the article.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:05am

he can move to a defensive position, but Tigers lose the DH for the game then...considering he's the rarely used 3rd catcher, not gonna be much of an issue.

The Designated Hitter may be used defensively, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made, and the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order.

A runner may be substituted for the Designated Hitter and the runner assumes the role of the Designated Hitter.

A Designated Hitter is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the Designated Hitter.

Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the DH role for the remainder of the game. Once a pinch-hitter bats for any player in the batting order and then enters the game to pitch, this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game.

Once a Designated Hitter assumes a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game.

Submitted by George Altman
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:18am

Question (maybe AZ Phil would know):

Isn't tomorrow (11/18) last day to turn in 40-man reserve list in front of Rule 5 draft? Anyone heard anything about who is added?

Also, doesn't Theo-compensation to Red Sox have to be decided by then? Or is that not a necessity?

Thanks.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 5:35pm

Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:18am — George Altman New
Re: Thank You Internet
Question (maybe AZ Phil would know):

Isn't tomorrow (11/18) last day to turn in 40-man reserve list in front of Rule 5 draft? Anyone heard anything about who is added?

Also, doesn't Theo-compensation to Red Sox have to be decided by then? Or is that not a necessity?

Thanks.

===========================

GEORGE A: The last time 11/20 fell on a Sunday the MLB office stayed open on Saturday (normally not an MLB "business day") and clubs had until 5 PM EST Saturday 11/19 to file their MLB and minor league reserve lists.

They might do that again this year, otherwise the deadline would be 5 PM EST tomorrow (Friday 11/18).

The deadline to file reserve lists has no bearing on compensation the Cubs send to the Red Sox, UNLESS the player(s) involved is (or are) not on the Cubs 40-man roster (MLB Reserve List), AND the player(s) is (or are) eligible for selection in next month's the Rule 5 Draft, in which case the player(s) could not be sent to Boston during the period of time starting with the filing of reserve lists through the conclusion of the Rule 5 Draft.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:33am

mlbtr...

Commissioner Bud Selig announced that MLB will add two Wild Card teams -- one in each league -- for a total of ten playoff teams. Selig remains hopeful that the change will occur in 2012.
---
me no likee, was hoping Bud would retire before they got to this.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:35pm

This will keep a lot of teams in the playoff hunt a LOT deeper into the season. Imagine the '11 Cubs keeping Hendry even longer, insisting they are "not out of contention". This will greatly change the complexion of the season.

I like it. I also like the concept that the two wildcards play to advance to the division series. It gives the division winners a little benefit over the wild cards. So if you are playing in September as a wildcard, you'll want to try to win the division, not just for the pennant, but so you don't have to play in the wildcard series. I just hope the wildcard series isn't a 1-game playoff. I would expect a 5 game series.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:45pm

It will also mean that shittier and shittier teams win the world series (which I guess is good for us) and then when the first division winner loses, we will get to hear about how they couldn't stay sharp because of the layoff.

It those wild card series are 5 games (I think 3 is the number most often bandied about), that's a whole week off between games for the four top seeds. I don't think that would fly.

Another thing I just thought of... if we often have ties with one wild card winner, won't we have many more with three wild card winners?

Your sixth playoff team from 2011? The 81-81 Toronto Blue Jays.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:49pm

when the first division winner loses, we will get to hear about how they couldn't stay sharp because of the layoff

Yep... I can already imagine the inane banter on ESPN about it.

I'm not sure how I feel about a 3-game series. Okay, I guess. A lot is left to chance (and a good starting rotation) in a 3-game series, but heck... it's just wildcard teams, so I guess that's okay.

It occurs to me... with 10 teams in the playoffs, that's exactly 1/3 of all the teams in baseball- Weird.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:52pm

Oh, I misunderstood, I was thinking 3 wild cards... that's not so bad. Seems weird though. 4 teams play while 6 teams sit.

In the NFL, teams generally like to sit because of injuries, but only 4 teams sit while 8 teams play.

Submitted by Newport
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 2:19pm

The wild card teams will be pretty much fucked when it comes to putting together their pitching rotations for the following round. Do you start your #1 in the wild card game?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 5:42pm

Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:45pm — The Real Neal New

It will also mean that shittier and shittier teams win the world series (which I guess is good for us) and then when the first division winner loses, we will get to hear about how they couldn't stay sharp because of the layoff.

It those wild card series are 5 games (I think 3 is the number most often bandied about), that's a whole week off between games for the four top seeds. I don't think that would fly.

Another thing I just thought of... if we often have ties with one wild card winner, won't we have many more with three wild card winners?

Your sixth playoff team from 2011? The 81-81 Toronto Blue Jays.

=======================

TRN: I've heard either a best two-out-of-three or a single game as the two options for the Wild Card playoff. The main thing it should do is make the Wild Card team less prepared (pitching wise) for the first round against the league's #1 seed.

As for a possible Wild Card #2 tie, they'll probably just use NFL-style tie-breakers to decide the 2nd Wild Card team in the event of a tie.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 5:38pm

Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:35pm — Ryno New
Re: Thank You Internet
This will keep a lot of teams in the playoff hunt a LOT deeper into the season. Imagine the '11 Cubs keeping Hendry even longer, insisting they are "not out of contention". This will greatly change the complexion of the season.

I like it. I also like the concept that the two wildcards play to advance to the division series. It gives the division winners a little benefit over the wild cards. So if you are playing in September as a wildcard, you'll want to try to win the division, not just for the pennant, but so you don't have to play in the wildcard series. I just hope the wildcard series isn't a 1-game playoff. I would expect a 5 game series.

======================

RYNO: There has been talk in recent times about MLB extending the non-waiver trade deadline from July 31st to August 31st, and with two more teams to be added to the post-season beginninng in 2013 (and thus more teams staying in contention longer), the proposed extension of the non-waiver trade deadline could be part of the new system.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:35am

Wrongway a busy boy today...

Source: Cubs finishing details w/Sveum but won't reach deal before tonight. Friday news conference expected.

http://twitter.com//ChiTribRogers/status/1372...

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:49am

Muskat and Wittenmeyer both have similar tweets...

Theo does say compensation talks with Sox put off till after Rule 5 draft next month. Calls talks "amicable."
35 seconds ago

cst_cubs cst_cubs
Some sources expect announcement Friday.
2 minutes ago
»

cst_cubs cst_cubs
Theo on manager hire: "closer's in." But no comments on specifics -- sveum or any other candidate.
---
#Cubs managerial search has now reached closer phase, says Theo
5 minutes ago
»

CarrieMuskat Carrie Muskat
Theo says #Cubs and #Redsox will table compensation talks until after Rule 5 Draft

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:00pm

#Cubs managerial search has now reached closer phase, says Theo

Let's hope the closer isn't Marmol, if we want a resolution this week.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:15pm

If Marmol's the closer, Sveum might walk....

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:19pm

Ha!

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:39am

Oh... it's a double entendre... ha! Good one, nav.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 11:50am

CarrieMuskat Carrie Muskat
---
Juan Guzman Juan Guzman

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 12:22pm

-edit-

Great video... I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 1:00pm

I heard it's a one game play-in.

Submitted by 10man
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 4:08pm

That's what Olney tweeted:

Assuming that it gets done, the one-game playoff in the WC round was the right decision for MLB, for a whole bunch of reasons.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 1:04pm

Kershaw wins Cy Young. Vote not close over Halladay, Lee, Kennedy

http://bbwaa.com

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 2:01pm

Three guys in the top 5 for the Phillies, matches the '98 Braves.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 1:18pm

So how do you pronounce the new guy's name?

Swaim?

Submitted by Seamhead
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 1:47pm

It's official, per MLBTR...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 1:56pm

Yes. Swaim.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 10:13pm

That reminded me of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XccUMOQ978

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 1:58pm

Sully has been oddly quiet on the twitter until now. Says it's a 3 yr contract for Sveum (didn't say $$).

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 2:20pm

I have heard its 3yrs, 44million apparently.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 2:02pm

Levine article...also via tweets, he says Cubs to introduce him with press conference tomorrow/Friday AM.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/724...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 2:20pm

David Ortiz should slot in nicely at first. JD Drew can fill the vacancy in right... is Mike Lowell available? Maybe Bill Mueller?

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 2:30pm

the post above was ESPN, Gordon Edes (not Levine). No wonder it had so much Boston crap.
---
new Muskat article up...

Whoever was the Cubs' closer did his job. The team has called a news conference for Friday to name Dale Sveum the next manager.

Sveum, who turns 48 on Nov. 23, reportedly received a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year. He'll be the 52nd manager in Cubs history.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 3:25pm

FIre SWAIMY!!

Submitted by artskoe
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 3:26pm

Swaim announced he is keeping Rothschild as pitching coach...

Is bald managers part of sabre-stats?

Today they should make an offer to Pujols, just to make Fielder think.

Remember last week when the Trib was saying Cubs can't win without a mustache???

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 3:31pm

-rothschild +riggins?

actually, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the club trade more prospects away for old dudes in suits. =p

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 3:59pm

I'm thinking Sveum wants this guy as pitching coach...

http://tinyurl.com/6v2b554

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 4:01pm

he pushes guys too hard...his generation and type thinks everyone has a rubber arm.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 4:09pm

Mitch Williams?

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 4:42pm

ROB G: Did you cut this Theriot highlight reel? C'mon Rob, I know you did it!

Hilarious!

Submitted by Charlie
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 5:42pm

lol. The ball roll finale.

Have to imagine Pujols hopes he ends up on a team with a shortstop who can throw the ball all the way to him.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 6:09pm

bad news for chiniroros in TB...

"FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that Jose Molina is close to signing a one-year deal with the Rays."

chin can't play C very well anyway...

speaking of bad news....mark grace's EX-wife is going to be on "Baseball Wives"

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 6:50pm

speaking of bad news....mark grace's EX-wife is going to be on "Baseball Wives"
----
I think she thought she was marrying Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) after Grace. Also, I believe Michelle Grace's sister married Cub pitcher Jeff Pico. Dunno how that marriage worked out.

Liotta married actress Michelle Grace in February 1997. They met at her ex-husband's (Mark Grace) baseball game; they also co-starred in The Rat Pack, in which Liotta played Frank Sinatra and Grace played Judith Campbell Exner. Their daughter, Karsen, was born in December 1998. The couple divorced in 2004. Liotta currently resides in Pacific Palisades, California.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Liotta

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/17/2011 - 6:55pm

i'm a mark grace fan, but him and his ex are both pretty trashy people, imo. mark is just fun about it...when he's not doing dumb stuff with alcohol or people in relationships with him.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 7:44am

Ah Michelle and Nicholle Messer......Very good looking sisters....maybe not the pride of Peoria, but at the time they were definitely very attractive.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 8:06am

Looks like things have gone down hill for Nicholle...

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Nicholle+Messe...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 8:37am

Lmao....I don't think that's her....hahahha......great pic yeah?

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:35am

Kielbasa Hall of Famer to Cubs?

Wittenmeyer says Sveum might bring in best buddy Robin Yount to his coaching staff. Yount was his bench coach for his managerial stint with the Brewers.

it might not take much for the field staff to start taking on the flavor of a Milwaukee bratwurst.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/...

Submitted by Newport
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 7:37am

Oh no! More drinking buddies.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 8:08am

At this rate, the entire Cast of Cheers will be working for the Cubs, pulling in about $10 million in annual salary.

But this is a good thing right? That's how they did it in Boston, right? Oh, wait a second... that's not how they did it in Boston.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:57pm

"that's not how they did it in Boston."

Lucchino knew Epstein from San Diego, right?

McLeod had two separate stints with the Padres. The first was when Lucchino and Epstein were there. That's how he got to Boston.

Sveum was a Brewer teammate of Terry Francona, who later brought him to Boston.

You're complaining about something that's universal and natural and fine. (How did you get your current job?) The question is, what is the quality of the people you have worked with and enjoyed working with?

Hendry was a competent GM, so the difference isn't going to be night and day, but hopefully, there's a difference.

Submitted by Newport
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:03pm

It's what others call networking.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:48pm

Networking gets you interviews. Cronyism gets you jobs.

Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to positions of authority, regardless of their qualifications.

Submitted by Tito
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:39pm

One could read the implications of that definition much differently than you probably are.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:03pm

It's possible that these guys are the most qualified candidates, but since no one else was interviewed how would Theo know (unless of course the overriding qualification is buddy of Theo's)?

Put it this way. If you worked in the Cubs front office or as a coach, what would you think was going on when positions that you want were given to outsiders, sans internal interviews, who have good relationships with the new president?

I am willing to bet 95% of TCR readers would be pretty pissed off if that happened to themselves.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:14pm

regardless of their qualifications.

Who have the Cubs hired that were not qualified?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:16pm

Who have they hired that were most qualified?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:23pm

There are a lot of different definitions of "qualified," so I can't really answer that. But I think it is pretty clear that Epstein has hired qualified individuals. Do you disagree?

Your definition pretty clearly implies that cronyism is hiring people for positions of authority who are not qualified to be in those positions. So who has Theo hired who is not qualified?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:33pm

The only qualified applicant is the most qualified applicant, therefore it is likely everyone he hired is not qualified.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:35pm

Have you ever hired someone before?

Because your statement is completely clueless about how hiring works.

It is also completely clueless about what qualified means.

Submitted by 10man
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 8:49pm

i have interviewed and hired people in my course of work and if TRN's definition of "most qualified" is the one with the best skills then that's a load of crap. if we chose people simply on skills, corey patterson would be a superstar by now.

Qualifications for hiring runs a gamut of different things: skill, experience, future potential, ability to work w/ specific people, the needs of the company at the moment and in the future, and yes even gut feel of those doing the hiring.

In the end, most people hiring (given the choice) will go w/ someone they already know or someone highly recommended by someone they know. it's difficult to choose a perfect stranger unless you see that they have skills and experience that absolutely blows all other candidates out of the water. even then you will still take more time than usual to get to know that stranger before hiring him.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 7:37am

I was speaking for a Cubs fan's perspective.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:45pm

Theo got the GM job as an internal promotion. Francona
got the manager job coming from outside the organization after changing organizations three times in the previous three years. I am not sure who Theo's first hire as a scouting director was, I suspect it was an internal promotion.

It's baseball with 26 to 30 companies, you can play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with about anyone if you want.

What we have seen so far, is that he's filled three main posistions underneath him with drinking buddies. Can you honestly say, that it was just a coincidence these were the best guys available? He hired two of them without interviewing anyone else at all, and the third was mostly a dog and pony show.

Maybe it will work out. He still has $35 million more in budget than his divisional rivals. It would probably work out better if he didn't hire exclusively his friends. Why did Sveum go from a relative nobody to the hottest managerial commodity around? Probably because he had two buddies looking for a manager.

Hendry was a competent GM If that was the case, he'd still be around. Competent GM's have stocked farm systems and compete every year with the resources Hendry had available.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:43pm

"Theo got the GM job as an internal promotion."

I don't get your point here. Lucchino brought Epstein with him from San Diego as Asst. GM in 2002, and promoted him to GM the same year. That's zero degrees of separation, as is Francona's relationship with Sveum.

I don't deny that Epstein seems to prefer known quantities, but I would emphasize that he seems to get the people he wants. That should be useful when he pursues players.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:11pm

I don't get your point here.

At the point he was promoted to full time GM, not just temp GM, he was a known commodity with his colleagues. That would be like making Busch the full time GM.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:52am

Trib/David Haugh article on Sveum's career altering tibia fracture with quotes from Tom Trebelhorn (who was managing when Sveum got injured) and former Pat/Ron fill-in, Corey Provus, (who's now left the Brewers to announce Twins games).

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnis...

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 7:31am

My favorite dating moment was the night several years ago that I was on a first date at a bar downtown and the girl told me I was nicer and a better date than Corey Provus (who she had previously dumped).

He may be good at broadcasting, but apparently isn't so great off the mike.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:54am

Off topic a bit but what the hell. My favorite dating moment was when I was in a movie theater and my date went to the bathroom and came back and told me it was so great to be looking for me and not have to look for the guy with the bald spot.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 7:27am

I was looking at the 1987 Brewers roster and noted that Dan Plesac was a team mate of Sveum for several seasons around then. Should make his mlb network commentary a bit more insightful regarding the 2012 Cubs.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/ros...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:55pm

he was gushing over him last night and the missed opportunity in his career caused by his broken leg...a high draft pick middle IF'r with 20+ HR power who was "never the same" after the collision.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 7:47am

photoshop work supposedly from Dave Kaplan...

http://chicagocubsonline.com/Buehrle-Cubs-pub...

link, it's his new twitter pic...
http://twitter.com/thekapman

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 7:46am

more from Kaplan's camera...

http://yfrog.com/h31w0erj

Ricketts, Epstein, Kenney, Bush and Hoyer had dinner with new Cubs manager Dale Sveum at Harry Caray's tonight

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 9:02am

I heard Kenney slipped Sveum a napkin with the opening day line up on it.

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:21am

This seems to be further proof that the Cubs just can't (or won't) keep Kenney out of the baseball side of operations.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:49am

Sometimes I have dinner with sales people. It doesn't make me a sales person.

If it was a dinner with external entities, like an agent and player, it would be a little more telling.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:57pm

everyone knows crane kenney is the real boss. he's solely responsible for pushing his iron-clad will and fear upon others forcing them to run the club to his whim and wishes.

anything that comes to the cubs goes through him first. bring kenney the wookie.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 7:54am

new Heckler T-shirt...

http://www.thehecklerstore.com/sveumus-catuli...

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 9:35am

Hoyer not too confident in front of mic, ran out of breath introducing Sveum
Theo kinda gave Jed a look like "take a breather sport"
theo explains why he wanted Sveum

Sveum-
Address playing the game the same way everyday
play the game like its 7th game of WS everyday---good luck with that
Player development never stops at any level
has list of coaches he wants to bring in, will discuss next week along with current coaches addressed
technical difficulties
Thought about being manager at end of playing career- ---just like Robin Ventura
Culture Change- Handle things man to man, treat them like your son---ground Soriano for two months
Not mad about errors, unless he sees work ethic causes
Brought up running out balls hit few times- see previous soriano comment
wants team to be respected by the way they play
wants home plate collisions!!!
he's 48 years old----raise your hand if you are older then the Cubs manager(i'm older then gm and pres)
doesnt give much thought to cubs brewers rivalry says its fan based
mentions ivy---drink a shot (day baseball two shots)
Nuts nickname not "for lower half" but "for up here" points at head---awesome
century of futility-past is past, media driven
Doesnt let things fester, good or bad, compliment when good, kick in butt when needed. If they dont' like they are probably not a good player any ways.
Should have fun on field and clubhouse, but winning causes fun----Ozzie speak
You will win 60 and lose 60 what you do with other 42 is how you are judged
wants pitchers to "pound strike zone more"
day games don't use as an excuse----two shots
stats used as "options" not a go to thing,never read or seen moneyball, if you dont have hr hitters you have to create runs by running and "pushing the envelope"
wants time on field practicing defense as much as time in cage
work ethic again
ST will be about defense and base running, they can hit, no optional defense or running drills in ST
pay attention to detail----Castro stares at hand

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 9:46am

I'm a believer

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/11/17/dale-s...

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:46am

He wasn't wearing that suit to the press conference, was he?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:53am

I wouldn't have minded sitting next to Eileen for four years of English Class.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 11:41am

here's a better shot of Dale in HS

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2006/10/25/matth...

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 8:23pm

Wow! What a resemblance!

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 11:15am

This is probably a petty thing, but it kind of irked me to read that Sveum said he had never read Moneyball. The guy wants to be a big league manager (one of only 30 in the world), but he couldn't be bothered to read a hugely popular book about his profession? That seems odd to me.

Of course, context is everything and I'm not sure how or why he mentioned it, but from Jacos' notes, it sounds almost like Sveum felt that not reading it was a sort of badge of honor.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 11:37am

No, he didn't come across that way.

I think he understands sabremetrics and was for obp.

/hello dusty

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:59pm

he left out "because maddux wouldn't take a deal"

Submitted by joshb
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 9:40am

funny video.

and yet...the guy is going to be wearing a world series ring.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 10:56am

...because they brought in a real shortstop and pushed him to a platoon at second.

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:08pm

If you're near Wrigley Field right now, Bruce Miles is in the Starbucks on Addison. Stop by and ask him, "flat out what?"

Bruce Miles tweet:
"#Cubs Sveum on Starlin Castro: He can flat-out but needs polish on defense"

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:12pm

hit

obviously...

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:16pm

my point

he can flat out hit. WHO KNEW?!
and he needs polish on defense ..WHAT INSIGHT!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:27pm

so your point was that bruce miles accidently omitted an apparently crucial word from a tweet and that in 140 characters or less, Sveum didn't say something mind-blowing about Castro in his introductory press conference?

jack-asses, the both of them...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:19pm

Probably "flat out play", actually, since he's capable of great defensive plays.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:13pm

quotes...some nice specific stuff on Marmol, Castro and Z

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/11/18/1118-sve...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:20pm

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/11/18/1118-the...

“Dale provided extremely well thought out answers to nuanced baseball questions instantaneously, answer after answer after answer,” Epstein said. “We came up for air and took a break and looked at each other and said ‘Wow.’ This was not the type of thing you could fake. It wasn’t that he prepared for the interview but he spent a lifetime as a very intelligent person observing the game with an open mind to come up with his own baseball philosophy on how to win and it was very impressive.”

Expect Sveum to think outside the box a little. If he needs his closer in the eighth inning, he’ll use him then. He believes in five infielders in certain situations.

I can't wait to read the comments here the first time he uses five infielders and it blows up. That said, I'm all for thinking outside the box.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:54pm

says Junior Lake will be added to 40-man, no word on others.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:12pm

Sveum on Marmol:

“One, [hitters] finally just decided all they have to do is sit there and look for a slider,” Sveum said. “They don’t have to worry about the fastball, because even if he throws it, it’s probably a ball. He has to get back to some kind of fastball command.

“When you have that kind of breaking ball, you have to use your fastball as a weapon as well,” he said. “You’ve already established the breaking ball in so many hitters’ minds that now it’s a surprise attack to throw fastball strikes.”

Reminds me of something I read in TCR recently:

If Marmol establishes a good mix of fastballs and sliders, hitters won't be able to sit on the slider the way McGehee was.

Marmol has been touched for several home runs lately because hitters are adjusting to him. He has to adjust back. McGehee has faced Marmol many times and surely knows by now that with an oh-and-two count, the next several pitches will be sliders.

Hitters also know that if they ever see Marmol shake off the catcher, a slider is coming.

Marmol just isn't a thinking man's pitcher; and if he's losing his fastball it's because he hasn't worked hard to maintain it.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:25pm

I'm impressed you still have the flexibility to kiss your own ass at your age...

but I didn't read there where Sveum said throw the fastball more, he said throw it for a strike. And I know and I'm sure Sveum does to, that it's a little more complicated than just throwing it more in a game to do that.

Submitted by Charlie
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:03pm

Not sure I heard Sveum accuse Marmol of not being "a thinking man's pitcher" either. He seems to think, rather, that it's part of his own job to keep his players on track.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:36pm

It's bad taste to quote oneself, I'll admit. I came back here to edit that out, but you had already commented, so too late.

I did think it was interesting that the recent discussion here followed a McGehee home run, and here was Sveum talking about how the Brewers approached an at-bat against Marmol.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:54pm

Apologies for my less than gracious response.

I think most of us can see that marmol is having issues with his fastball...command and velocity. Just think that it's a little more complicated than throwing it more or his intelligence.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:39pm

Not to mention the cause and effect.

Say you have two pitches. One you can generally throw for a strike, and one which you don't really know where it's going.

Say you try throwing the random pitch early in the count to establish that second pitch, but miss twice with it. What are you going to do, throw it twice more and walk the guy? No, you're going to throw the pitch you have some command with.

The thing that confuses VA Phil is that for 95% of MLB pitchers, it is the fastball that they can throw for strikes when needed. With Marmol, it's his slider.

It's also a very rare reliever who can pitch in the same division for a long time, without learning a third pitch. Brad Lidge is an example of a guy with a dominating fastball slider combo, who eventually had to add a pitch because just like as a starter, once batters start to see your top two pitches enough, they're going to figure out how to get on base.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:58pm

Levine...sung to the tune of the Beach Boys, "Wouldn't It Be Nice"

"I love Prince to death. It would be nice to have him at first base because of what he brings to the table every single day."

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/725...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:24pm

"It would be nice to have him at first base because of what he brings to the table every single day."

I think it's what he takes away from the table that concerns us.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:52pm

mlbtr listing 40 man roster changes for Jays, Reds, Royals, Yankees, Marlins, Tigers, Brewers, Astros, Phillies and WSox.

Should be Cub news soon.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:22pm

I am really curious about how Lake gets handled.

I guess we'll also have some idea about how many FA's they'll want to add based on what they live with on the 40 man.

Any interesting names mentioned yet?

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:03pm

everyone knows crane kenney is the real boss.
---
Notice that the Cub shirt Sveum had no number on the back? Notice Sveum took it off as soon as the conference ended?
Hmmmm.

(Kenney to run and get his uni out of his office and they had to use it for the new manager)

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:09pm

it doesn't matter if kenney had ernie banks's number on his jersey...it still doesn't give him the power to intimidate others into letting him run things.

taking player/coach water from the dugout doesn't make him force hendry to sign s.estes.

running around batting practice like you're a player/coach doesn't make him the GM...nor was he around giving hitters tips on how to drive that sucker 450ft.

the guy's major power over what we see on the field is running around to the purses to get the GM more money...it's part of why greg maddux returned to the cubs years ago. kenney's not as powerful as people give him credit for.

jerseys for everyone!

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:39pm

It's impossible for any of us to really say, isn't it? No one has offered really definitive evidence either way.

It's not reasonable to conclude that he has had no influence, there's been too much smoke.

Likewise, unless you were privy to the convesations and meetings, it is impossible to say how much influence he may have had. It's possible he spent two weeks haranguing the board for the money to sign Soriano, with a hour long presentation on how 40/40 players drive baseball revenue. It's possible he never partook in any conversation at all, and just rubber stamped the contract.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:40pm

Maddux released a comment about turning down the cubs and red sox and closed with this:

"PS: To the fans I've met at the airport, grocery and home improvement stores, thanks for your support. It means a lot."

home improvement stores? Plural?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:50pm

The plural probably is for the "grocery" store too.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 4:19pm

oh, ya, doh! But still, the fact he felt compelled to add home improvement. I guess he's been spending a lot of time there. No wonder he didn't want to move.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 4:19pm

he just built a new custom house, fwiw.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 12:51pm

His job is pitching coach, his love is crafting gazebos out of drift wood.

Submitted by Newport
on Sun, 11/20/2011 - 10:24pm

Ron Swanson?

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 4:03pm

countdown until "give em hell" cubs/sveum shirts are printed up...

*starts clock*

it's one of his tattoos, btw.

Submitted by Newport
on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 6:12pm

He also has one that says "pain is inevitable, suffering is optional". That's pretty bad ass in regards to life. Baseball, not so much.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 7:41am

I always think if you're going to tattoo something on yourself, you should at least know the definition of the words:

Suffering: The bearing of pain

I guess "Feeling sorry for yourself" was too long to fit on his bicep.

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 1:33pm

Come on TRN, of course you know that English words can have multiple meanings. In the case of this old saying, pain refers to something externally applied and suffering refers to an emotional response to it.

And please consider this---

//"the tattoos are mostly a tribute to his father, George, who passed away in 1992, and his wife, Darlene.

"That was a mid-life crisis," said his buddy and former Pirates teammate John Wehner, who gave him hell about the tattoos when they started popping up. "It just hit early."

He found it funny, because Dale Sveum was the guy who was so old school he wouldn't even sport a batting glove when he played and called the guys with the necklaces and fancy cleats and tats part of the "Digme tribe."//

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 11/20/2011 - 7:42am

So you don't think he should have suffered any emotional response to the passing of his father? Seems like a whack-job to me.

If Jesus Christ wasn't too manly to do something, I think that Dale Sveum should get over himself.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Sun, 11/20/2011 - 12:33pm

So you don't think he should have suffered any emotional response to the passing of his father?

I am pretty sure that absolutely no one other than you said that.

Amazingly, your hate for Epstein and Company has already eclipsed mannytrillo's hate for Hendry.

Submitted by Newport
on Sun, 11/20/2011 - 10:31pm

Clearly his father endured great pain in whatever the fuck killed him. He probably didn't suffer because he wasn't surrounded by annoying nit picking fucks like yourself.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 11/20/2011 - 11:44pm

Um. Wow.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 9:10am

What hatred? Just calling out stupid people doing stupid shit.

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