Complain about Dale Sveum thread

[Old Style]

Surprised this hasn't been started yet after last night's idiocy.

 

The Cubs stranded 14 baserunners, went 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position and still haven't figured out how to execute a bunt, a recurring theme. Dale Sveum made a risky move in the eighth by having Starlin Castro sacrifice with two on and no outs.

 

Sveum said he wanted to stay out of the double play, "even though you figure they're going to walk (Bryan) LaHair" to get to Soriano.

 

"The more people you start getting on base and turning that (lineup) over is fine with me," Sveum said.

 

Soriano was 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts against the reliever, while LaHair already was 3-for-4 in the game with a two-run homer.

 

This makes me want to punch babies.

 

EDIT for link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0515-cubs-cardinals-chicago--20120515,0,6733866.story

Edited May 15, 2012 by Old Style

[Guest]

What makes you want to punch babies?

 

You included a lot in that quote when I imagine the only part that does is the Castro bunt. Certainly can't be the comment about getting guys on base and turning the lineup over.

 

Probably the first time all year I have strongly disagreed with something he's done. I'll take that.

 

Overall, far more good than bad from Sveum.

[Sammy Sofa]

OF COURSE the article mentions "not being able to execute a bunt." [expletive] BUNTS.

[Guest]

OF COURSE the article mentions "not being able to execute a bunt." [expletive] BUNTS.

 

Pretty annoying that Sullivan would rather criticize Castro's "inability" to lay down a bunt rather than the decision to have him do so, but w/e.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Tied or down by a run, 0-1 out man on 1st or 2nd Darwin Barney or Tony Campana at the plate, bunt good.

 

Trying to start a rally with the heart of the lineup coming up, bunt bad.

[woodchip2153]

What makes you want to punch babies?

 

You included a lot in that quote when I imagine the only part that does is the Castro bunt. Certainly can't be the comment about getting guys on base and turning the lineup over.

 

Probably the first time all year I have strongly disagreed with something he's done. I'll take that.

 

Overall, far more good than bad from Sveum.

 

I felt a little better about it, since Svuem said he wanted Castro to swing away after the infielders charged.

 

I wasn't paying attention to the infielders before the first pitch since I wasn't expecting the bunt, but if the infielders were back I don't hate the bunt attempt, since a successful bunt could easily result in a hit. However before Castro even squared up to bunt on the second pitch, iirc, Berkman was at least 10 feet in front of the bag and ready to charge hard. With the corners in, a bunt makes no sense and I don't think having Castro square and then pull it back, like Sveum wanted, is that beneficial either.

 

I didn't like the bunt with Mather either, since Berkman was again starting about 75 ft from home and charging hard, making a successful bunt almost impossible.

[Old Style]

What makes you want to punch babies?

The decision to bunt as well as his reasoning. To stay out of the double play? He knew they would walk LaHair so that decision takes the bat out of the hands of your two best hitters and puts the game on the shoulders of Soriano, who is hitting like Stevie Wonder right now. Inexcusable decision.

[jersey cubs fan]

I felt a little better about it, since Svuem said he wanted Castro to swing away after the infielders charged.

 

Not swing away, pull the bat back and slash at the pitch. In theory it's a nice concept, in practice it's a great way to get behind in the count.

 

Let your best hitters hit.

[Old Style]

I hope my response wasn't too meatball.

[woodchip2153]

I felt a little better about it, since Svuem said he wanted Castro to swing away after the infielders charged.

 

Not swing away, pull the bat back and slash at the pitch. In theory it's a nice concept, in practice it's a great way to get behind in the count.

 

Let your best hitters hit.

 

thanks for reading the entire post

[jersey cubs fan]

I felt a little better about it, since Svuem said he wanted Castro to swing away after the infielders charged.

 

Not swing away, pull the bat back and slash at the pitch. In theory it's a nice concept, in practice it's a great way to get behind in the count.

 

Let your best hitters hit.

 

thanks for reading the entire post

 

I did. But I responded to the part where you said he wanted him to swing away.

[Sammy Sofa]

I hope my response wasn't too meatball.

 

Just embrace it.

[woodchip2153]

I felt a little better about it, since Svuem said he wanted Castro to swing away after the infielders charged.

 

Not swing away, pull the bat back and slash at the pitch. In theory it's a nice concept, in practice it's a great way to get behind in the count.

 

Let your best hitters hit.

 

thanks for reading the entire post

 

I did. But I responded to the part where you said he wanted him to swing away.

 

maybe I didn't explain myself very well then, because I tried saying what you said in the next paragraph.

[davell]

I felt better about it from his comments afterward. This is his first time as a manager, he's a rookie too. All in all, I think he's been excellent, with a few hiccups obviously. I think we'll all wind up liking the end result though. It is cool to at least care enough about this team to where we even question some things though. I didn't know if we'd even be in THAT place this season. Jersey saying just let him hit though, is where I'm at too. Hopefully, Sveum begins to think the same way.

[Hendrys Ghost]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAoMKG6JIUc/T0r1xmRJOyI/AAAAAAAAAI8/-xECO84igig/s1600/castro.jpg

[Clem Fandango]

I felt a little better about it, since Svuem said he wanted Castro to swing away after the infielders charged.

 

Not swing away, pull the bat back and slash at the pitch. In theory it's a nice concept, in practice it's a great way to get behind in the count.

 

Let your best hitters hit.

 

I think he should've pulled back with the intent on slapping a line drive into Lance Berkman's stupid, fat, charging face.

[Soul]

We made it to mid May before starting the annual complain-about-the-manager thread.

 

That's not too bad.

[Guest]

We made it to mid May before starting the annual complain-about-the-manager thread.

 

That's not too bad.

 

I'd like to think that it has more to do with him doing a pretty good job and less to do with apathy (especially really early on with the awful start).

[Rizzo Smash]

RT @PWSullivan Sveum told Castro: "You're hitting 3rd, but you're not a prototypical 3rd hitter. You're gonna be asked to bunt."

RT @PWSullivan: Sveum not interested in debating 'cybermetrics.': "The bottom line is I'm the one that makes the decisions." Exits, laughing. Touche.

Edited May 15, 2012 by Rizzo Smash

[Old Style]

I hope my response wasn't too meatball.

 

Just embrace it.

I have no problem with my meatballiness. I just want to be accepted by you, the greatest poster in the history of the Cubs.

[champaignchris]

With the improved defensive positioning and baserunning, I'll excuse a strange bunt call about once every 30 games.

[Sammy Sofa]

I hope my response wasn't too meatball.

 

Just embrace it.

I have no problem with my meatballiness. I just want to be accepted by you, the greatest poster in the history of the Cubs.

 

Ehhhh, not really meatball-y enough. Being that petulant is, I dunno...being a pork chop?

[SouthSideRyan]

RT @PWSullivan Sveum told Castro: "You're hitting 3rd, but you're not a prototypical 3rd hitter. You're gonna be asked to bunt."

RT @PWSullivan: Sveum not interested in debating 'cybermetrics.': "The bottom line is I'm the one that makes the decisions." Exits, laughing. Touche.

 

We've made a terrible mistake.

[bukie]

RT @PWSullivan Sveum told Castro: "You're hitting 3rd, but you're not a prototypical 3rd hitter. You're gonna be asked to bunt."

RT @PWSullivan: Sveum not interested in debating 'cybermetrics.': "The bottom line is I'm the one that makes the decisions." Exits, laughing. Touche.

 

We've made a terrible mistake.

Fortunately, following Sullivan on Twitter is a mistake easily remedied.

[El Duderino]

Did he really say cybermetrics? That's both awesome and disturbing.