On Friday morning, Chicago Cubs GM Jed Hoyer and President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein formally introduced Dale Sveum as the new team manager during a press conference at Wrigley Field. Sveum becomes the 52nd manager in team history, as he accepted a three-year offer to manage the team, with an additional option for 2015, on Thursday.
As Cubs fans and media members get acquainted with their new manager, a man that carries the nickname 'Nuts' and has a tattoo on his arm that says 'Give 'em hell,' Sveum had these things to say:
I think the thing that has to be addressed right away is playing the game a certain way on a daily basis...that's what this organization has to change on a daily basis...playing the game like it's the seventh game of the World Series every day.
His stance on player development is something that all players on the roster should also take notice of: "the day you think you are all done learning is a bad day...you never stop developing, I dont care if the guy is 35- years old." He added:
My job is making each and every one of those guys accountable for things they have control over...That's my biggest job.
When asked about the Moneyball and sabermetrics approach, Sveum said "it's part of the game," and that numbers "can help you win the game" by presenting options to help make baseball decisions.
He also added that coaching staff decisions will be a "long process" that will start later on Friday and will carry into next week as he speaks with current coaches and moves through his list of candidates.
Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for updated coverage of the press conference, and for a look at the managerial search be sure to check out the full Cubs Manager Search Storystream. For in-depth analysis on the Chicago Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. Visit Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.