Image Source: Flickr
BY NICK ADAMS
As of Friday morning, it’s final. The Chicago Cubs have a new manager. CBS Sports has the official announcement.
“Next is his rare ability to hold players to high standards and hold them accountable, while also connecting with them and earning their respect and admiration... Next manager of the Chicago Cubs, Dale Sveum.”
So exactly who is Dale Sveum? Even if you haven’t heard of him, ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian says Sveum has been around the block.
“He learned the game Robin Yount and Paul Molitor. He’s been a bench coach. He was a third base coach in Boston, that’ll toughen you up. He was briefly a manager for the Brewers and he did that in the middle of a pennant race. And lets be honest about this, the Cubs are not going to contend in 2012, so what he needs to learn about his team and the game as a manager, he can do on the job.”
But even with expectations low for 2012, people are considering this a good hire by the organization. While he might not have the big name, MLB.com says he has exactly what the Cubs need.
“He’s got a old school type of philosophy but yet he is in tuned with the statistical analysis that is required of the job. He is a players manager also when you hear specifically in the past year in Milwaukee how he was really close with both Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder... I think all of those things that he brings as a unique skill set that makes him the perfect fit there in Chicago."
However, some are going to wait and see before concluding Sveum is the right fit for the Cubs. A CNS Chicago Sportswriter says while Sveum said all the right things in the press conference, he needs to walk the walk.
“I mean, it's one press conference, so I don't know. He hasn't done anything yet. The on-field play for the Cubs is still poor. They still lost 91 games last year. Sveum hasn't managed a game yet and won't for another few months.”
Some of Sveums critics say he doesn’t have home grown roots but - he would make a big splash if he were able to help lure Prince Fielder to the windy city.