Dale Sveum, New Cubs Manager: Accountability And Fun

New Cubs manager Dale Sveum said his players are going to work hard. But he also stressed "having fun" is part of winning baseball.

Dale Sveum 2011 Highlight Package

Dale Sveum has been named the new manager of the Chicago Cubs, taking over for Mike Quade. Here we take a look at some of his 2011 season highlights.

Dale Sveum Named New Manager Of Chicago Cubs

Late Wednesday night, reports emerged that the Chicago Cubs had offered their vacant managerial position to Dale Sveum. Sveum was considered a candidate with both the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox, but on Thursday, word's out now that he has accepted the offer from Chicago.

Sveum will be formally introduced at a Friday press conference at Wrigley Field. The first order of business will be explaining to people that the V sounds like a W, so, no, his name is not pronounced how you want to pronounce it. Not all V's sound like W's - if they did, we wouldn't need V's - but this V does, and it might take some getting used to. It took me some getting used to, and I assume everybody is the way that I am.

Sveum had most recently been serving as the batting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. He managed the Brewers for 12 games in 2008 after Ned Yost went away and went 7-5 for a winning percentage of .583. That is a fantastic winning percentage, so it's obvious to see why Sveum was so highly desired. The Cubs have finished with a winning percentage at least that high just once since 1945. He will get them turned around for sure!

How will Sveum do as the Cubs' next manager? No idea. Absolutely no idea. Even after he's been managing there for a while, we'll have no good idea how he's doing. Managers. So tricky.

Sveum gets a three-year contract, with an option. He could still be fired at any point. Conceivably even tomorrow. That would be weird.

Report: Dale Sveum To Be Named Cubs Manager

Multiple reports indicate that Milwaukee Brewers coach Dale Sveum could be offered the Cubs manager position soon.

Who Will Be The Next Cubs Manager?

Saying No To Ryno

Ryne Sandberg Being Considered For Managerial Opening ... In St. Louis

When the Mike Quade dismissal was announced, the Chicago Cubs director of baseball operations Theo Epstein included this tidbit in the press release:

The next manager ... must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level.

This seemingly eliminated Cubs Hall-of-Famer Ryne Sandberg from consideration. Sandberg was a popular name in discussion of the Cubs' managerial opening, both because of his organizational ties and his current job as the manager of the triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sandberg is going to get consideration for a major-league managerial opening, but it won't be just from the Cubs. From Ken Rosenthal:

Sources: #Cardinals have asked permission to interview Ryne Sandberg for managerial opening.

Well. That's like the Red Sox considering Derek Jeter for an opening, or the Dodgers looking at Barry Bonds to be their hitting coach. It's one of those things that just can't happen in the universe that we know now.

But if the Cubs are going to pass Sandberg over, other teams will be interested. One of them happens to be the Cubs' blood rival. Maybe it's just a way to tease Chicago fans, or maybe it's something that's really going to happen, making Cubs fans ill for the next several years. Should be interesting.

Cubs Seeking New Manager With Major League Experience

A press release from the Chicago Cubs organization regarding the firing of manager Mike Quade contained a tantalizing clue about who the next manager of the team might be:

Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein this afternoon released the following statement after traveling to Florida to inform manager Mike Quade that he would not return to the club for the 2012 season.

“Jed Hoyer and I had an all-day meeting with Mike last Thursday at Wrigley Field, and Mike and I continued our dialogue with a lengthy phone conversation yesterday after the press conference. Today, I flew to Florida to inform Mike in person that the Cubs have decided not to bring him back as our manager for the 2012 season.

“When I joined the Cubs last week, I knew that Mike had a reputation as an outstanding baseball guy, as a tireless worker, and as a first-rate human being. After spending some time with him this past week, it became apparent to me that Mike’s reputation is well deserved. His passion, knowledge of the game, commitment, and integrity stood out immediately. While Mike is clearly an asset to any organization and any major league staff, Jed and I believe that the Cubs would benefit long-term from bringing in a manager for 2012 who can come in with a clean slate and offer new direction.

“The managerial search process begins immediately. We are looking for someone with whom and around whom we can build a foundation for sustained success. The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a winning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level.

“I want to thank Mike for his nine years of excellent service to the Cubs, and we certainly wish him well in the future.”

The bold face is my addition. Many Cubs fans have been hoping for Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who has been managing in the minor leagues for the last five seasons, to be the Cubs’ next manager. With no major league experience, this part of the statement appears to rule him out.

Possible candidates include former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale, and Dale Sveum, who was once a Red Sox coach and was briefly interim manager of the Brewers in 2008.

Cubs Announce Mike Quade Will Not Be Back In 2012

The Chicago Cubs announced that they are not going to bring Mike Quade back as their manager in 2012.