Chicago Cubs fire manager Dale Sveum — now can they land Joe Girardi to replace him?
Sveum managed the Cubs for two seasons, going a combined 127-197, finishing last in the NL Central this season and fifth in 2012. The standings difference? They were in the same division as the Houston Astros a year ago.
Sveum's firing wasn't a surprise, he was expected to learn his fate Monday. CSN Chicago's Patrick Mooney filed this after Sunday's season-ending Cubs loss:
Sveum’s had a bull’s-eye on his back ever since president of baseball operations Theo Epstein declined to say the manager would be returning in 2014. That non-answer on Sept. 17 sparked Sveum Watch, which should finally end Monday morning.
“You’d be lying if you didn’t have anxiety about what’s going to happen in 24 hours,” Sveum said. “That’s human nature.”
A Miller Lite can on his desk, Sveum sat back in the manager’s office after Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. He joked about all the questions hanging over his future. “It’s upon us,” Sveum said, laughing.
In announcing Sveum's firing, Epstein talked about the Cubs finding a new voice and energy. Per Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune:
"I believe a dynamic new voice — and the energy, creativity and freshness that comes with this type of change – provides us with the best opportunity to achieve the major league environment we seek. We have not yet contacted any candidates or asked permission to speak with any candidates, but that process will begin tomorrow morning."
Here's where the Cubs manager talk gets even more interesting: One of the names that's been floating around to take the Cubs job is a big one — New York Yankees skipper Joe Girardi. Girardi's contract with the Yankees ended after 2013. He's from Illinois, played baseball at Northwestern University, then played twice for the Cubs.
Word is that Girardi would "listen" if the Cubs were interested in him. Meanwhile, ESPN's Buster Olney has a source saying the Yankees would need to pay Girardi more than his previous $3-million-per-year contract to keep him in pinstripes. Now, with the job opening in Chicago and his name attached to it, Girardi has leverage.
IN OTHER MONDAY MANAGERIAL NEWS:
• The New York Mets signed Terry Collins to a two-year extension.
• The Minnesota Twins have a press conference scheduled for Monday afternoon at which they are expected to announce they'll keep Ron Gardenhire. That's according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Pennant races are here. Spend the stretch run with us.
Follow @MikeOz and @bigleaguestew, on Twitter, along with the BLS Facebook page.
- Sports & Recreation
- Baseball
- Chicago Cubs
- Theo Epstein
![(USA Today)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130930191001im_/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/sveum093013.jpg)
Recommended for You
Soccer-De Bruyne questions trigger Mourinho walk-out
By Ben Lovell-Viggers Sept 30 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho cut short his Champions League news conference in Bucharest on Monday and walked out after becoming riled by questions about his team selection. Mourinho, preparing for the London club's Group E match against Steaua on Tuesday,…
ReutersNew York Yankees: Five Reasons They Didn't Make the Playoffs
COMMENTARY | The New York Yankees failed to make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2008, and only the second time since 1995.
Yahoo Contributor NetworkTop-10 Credit Cards for Excellent Credit
For people with excellent credit. Compare exclusive offers side-by-side and apply online for the card that is right for you.
AdChoices CreditCards.comSponsoredFive Training Camp Questions for Uncertain L.A. Lakers
COMMENTARY | Most teams in the NBA start the season with some hope for a championship run. It doesn't matter whether it's a team of young guys or veterans -- they feel there's a chance that this season could be the season.
Yahoo Contributor NetworkTitans' Locker needs more tests, team playing 'waiting game'
As the Tennessee Titans began preparation for Sunday's showdown with the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, quarterback Jake Locker was released from the hospital with swelling in his right hip and knee.
The SportsXchangeMountain West Football Players Of The Week
UNLV WR Devante Davis, Colorado State LB Shaquil Barrett and UNLV P Logan Yunker honored
Campus InsidersUFC Cuts Okami, Discredits Own Ranking System
COMMENTARY | The UFC implemented a ranking system for its weight divisions in Jan. 2013, but that hasn't stopped the company from releasing fighters who were ranked highly in its own system. Yushin Okami became the second mixed martial artist, the first being Jon Fitch, to lose his job with the UFC…
Yahoo Contributor NetworkJustin Tuck pledges to punch anyone in the mouth who turns on Tom Coughlin
It's getting a bit feisty around the New York Giants. They are 0-4, and this talented but flawed team is starting to grasp for answers — and apparently are ready to resort to violence to prevent a mutiny. What? Yep. … Continue reading →
Shutdown CornerNHL Awards 2013-14: Puck Daddy picks the winners for this season’s hardware
(The 2013-14 NHL season is upon us. Puck Daddy’s writers are previewing the teams, conferences, playoffs, awards and various other things until the puck drops.) In looking over the 2013-14 Puck Daddy Staff Prognostications for the NHL Awards, one thing … Continue reading →
Puck DaddyBoston Red Sox: Four Reasons Why the Season Was a Success
COMMENTARY | The Boston Red Sox just finished off a marvelous 2013 regular season that saw them win 97 games and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Yahoo Contributor NetworkA Whole Bunch Of Dogs Competed In A Surfing Competition This Weekend [PHOTOS]
Dogs took to the waves on Sunday to compete in...
Business InsiderRewriting Wrestling History: Roddy Piper Was a World Champion
COMMENTARY | Roddy Piper was such an amazing professional wrestler that he never needed titles to get over with fans.
Yahoo Contributor NetworkAt Zimbabwe golf club, 'foreign' trees exit stage
A century-old thorn tree with an umbrella-shaped canopy offers shade to players on the 13th hole of Zimbabwe's oldest surviving golf course. The indigenous tree is going to stay, but "foreign" ...
Associated PressCubs fire manager Dale Sveum after 2 seasons
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs fired manager Dale Sveum on Monday after finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in seven years, ending a two-year run that produced more losses than any other in the team's cursed history.
The Associated PressYour Driving Record is online for anyone to see!
See anyone's detailed U.S. record instantly online. Learn what others are finding out about your background.
AdChoices Instant CheckmateSponsoredComcast to bid for Houston sports network if court forces sale
By Tom Hals (Reuters) - Comcast Corp is prepared to bid if it can force a sale of the financially troubled, regional-sports network that carries the games of the Houston Astros baseball team and the Houston Rockets, the city's basketball team, court papers show. Affiliates of Comcast, which owns…
ReutersPittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes they are ‘worst team in the league’
The Pittsburgh Steelers are bad. How bad, you ask? Well, Pittsburgh is currently 0-4 after a 34-27 loss against the Minnesota Vikings in London. The last time Pittsburgh was winless through its first four games was 1968. While it is … Continue reading →
Shutdown CornerList of Live Soccer Games on US TV for September 30 to October 3
October 2013 begins with a boatload of live soccer action being featured on US television. League matches close out September, and Champions League and Europa League matches will also air during the midweek. Remember to check the ESPN3/Watch ESPN schedules. Those services will offer live soccer…
Yahoo Contributor NetworkNadal breathing down Djokovic's neck in China
(Reuters) - Rafa Nadal starts the final push to what he hopes will be a return to the top of the world rankings when he gets under way at the China Open on Tuesday. The Spaniard has played only one singles and a doubles match since winning the U.S. Open earlier this month, during a crushing Davis…
ReutersHeat signs Spoelstra to multiyear extension
MIAMI (AP) -- Erik Spoelstra has been with the Miami Heat for nearly two decades, and their relationship won't be ending anytime soon.
The Associated PressGolf-Penpix of United States Presidents Cup team
Sept 30 (Reuters) - Brief profiles of the 12-man United States team which will take on the Internationals in the 2013 Presidents Cup at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio from Oct. 3-6: Tiger Woods Age: 37 World Ranking: 1 PGA Tour victories: 79 European Tour victories: 40 The best player…
Reuters