Don’t Eyeball Dale Sveum and Other Bullets

The Cubs entered the record books last night – it was just the third time in the last hundred-ish years that a team has homered at least six times in consecutive nights. That would be the Nationals, off of the Cubs. What, you thought the Cubs were going to be on the positive side of the record book ledger?

  • Dale Sveum was ejected last night without leaving the dugout (after the ejection, he came out to get his money’s worth), and folks wondered what exactly happened. Well, in true Chuck Norris Dick Tidrow style, Sveum let it be known that he don’t take kindly to bein’ eyeballed. “I just didn’t appreciate him eyeballing our dugout for absolutely no reason at all,” Sveum said. “I just don’t think that’s right when you’re looking in our dugout for no apparent reason at all.” In other words, he was saying some things that he didn’t think merited umpire attention, home plate umpire Larry Vanover gave the dugout a dirty look or two, and Sveum escalated his comments. Heave-ho. Apparently it was balls and strikes related, so I guess I’m confused – Sveum was confident enough in Vanover’s vision to be certain that the umpire was eyeballing him, but not confident enough to be certain that Vanover could see the pitches properly? (Ba dum ching.)
  • The Cubs were quick to call the Nationals the best team in baseball after they received a second straight whoopin’ in Washington. I think that’s probably right, though I expect there are a handful of teams who, on the right consecutive nights, could bludgeon this Cubs team like that.
  • Ugh, here’s a depressing set of quotes from Dale Sveum regarding his young players not being ready for the big leagues (per the Tribune): “It’s probably safe to say that, no question about it. If we were in the situation the Nationals are in, we wouldn’t be developing at the big league level. Right now things aren’t going as well for the young guys, maybe aside from [Welington Castillo, who] is holding his own catching. But things aren’t going real well for the rest of the guys, so hopefully [they’ll make] a few adjustments. They’re going to be given chances. We have 26 games left. Hopefully you see some major developments to where you can say these guys will be fighting for jobs in spring training.”
  • Jim Callis chatted at BA yesterday and offered a few Cubs-relevant bits, including (1) he’s never heard from a single scout the suggestion that Dan Vogelbach could play left field (in other words, he’s first base only); (2) Albert Almora is a slightly better prospect than Jorge Soler, with a more well-rounded set of tools and a more important defensive position; and (3) the Cubs’ top five pitching prospects, in some order, would probably be Arodys Vizcaino, Juan Carlos Paniagua, Dillon Maples, Duane Underwood, and Pierce Johnson.
  • Nats GM Mike Rizzo, who was ever so briefly a candidate for the Cubs’ GM gig last year, is confident that the Cubs are in good hands, so long as the fans stay patient and allow Theo and Jed to do their thing. “I’ve known Theo for a long time,” Rizzo told the Tribune. “He’s a guy who has that conviction. He has done it before with the Red Sox, and built them into a world champion. … Certainly it doesn’t happen overnight. When you start … trying to change the plan in mid-course, get impatient and grab a couple of free agents because you have some money left over, then it really throws everything out of kilter. You have a very competent guy at the top in Theo, and the people underneath him because he always has brought in good guys.”
  • How about this fact, from Carrie Muskat: “Alfonso Soriano is one of six players in Major League history to reach at least 350 home runs, 400 doubles, 250 stolen bases, 1,000 RBIs and 1,000 runs scored. He joinsWillie Mays, Andre Dawson, Gary Sheffield, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.”
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Tash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

    If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

    Cubs with a Flurry of Roster Moves Involving SIX Players

    We've been trying to piece this series of Cubs roster moves together all day, but we didn't have the full picture until now. There are a lot of moving parts - and we already have a dedicated article on the...

    Kyle Hendricks Departs the Rotation By Way of the Injured List

    The Chicago Cubs were in a rough spot with starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, whose performance this year has featured a worst-case-scenario mix of execution struggles, too many balls in play, and a sprinkling of bad luck. And since no one...

    REPORT: Cubs to DFA Garrett Cooper

    Garrett Cooper DFA — Earlier today, Tommy Birch caught word of Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski making their way up to Chicago, though no one has had the corresponding moves just yet. What we do know is that Wesneski would...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 23, 2024: Studs and Duds of the Week

    As I typed this, news broke that the Cubs were promoting Matt Mervis from Iowa to Chicago. So, we'll start this week's Studs and Duds on the Cubs farm with Mervis, who has been impressive this season. Plus, Kevin Alcántara...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13), with Jordan Montgomery on the hill and aiming to avoid a sweep, visit the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) who will start Kyle Gibson, at 1:15 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details...

    How to Watch Yankees vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    The New York Yankees (15-8), with Clarke Schmidt on the mound, host the Oakland Athletics (9-14) who will hand the ball to Joseph Boyle, at 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (8-13), with Joe Ryan on the mound, host the Chicago White Sox (3-19) who will hand the ball to Garrett Crochet, at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Minnesota-Chicago matchup below.When...

    How to Watch Cubs vs. Astros: Live Stream or on TV

    In a series opener on Wednesday, Jameson Taillon will start for the Chicago Cubs (13-9) against Spencer Arrighetti and the Houston Astros (7-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Wrigley Field.See how to watch the Chicago-Houston matchup...

    Blue Jays vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Yariel Rodriguez will take the ball for the Toronto Blue Jays (13-10) when they visit starter Alec Marsh and the Kansas City Royals (13-10) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 7:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Tash...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Reds vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (12-10) host Alec Bohm and the Philadelphia Phillies (15-8) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.See how to watch the Cincinnati-Philadelphia matchup below.When is Reds vs. Phillies and when does...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

    On Wednesday, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (13-11) open a series against C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (10-11) at Nationals Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:45 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Los Angeles-Washington matchup...

    more cubs news