I rarely use the term, just calling it as I see it.

No, just no longer very emotionally invested in grown men I don't know. It's entertainment, not much more.

"With Campana up, there is no reason at all the lead off with DeJesus."

I agree! The Cubs have two guys who can steal bases at will in Castro and Campana. Its time for Sveum to allow them to fully exploit those talents to help the Cubs score more runs and to drive the opposing pitchers crazy.

It started to affect Byrd after the near-beaning.

Before that he was aggressive-now he is timid.

He was hit in the face and came back and was very good his 1st month back. It had nothing to do with it what so ever

He started to get timid with the near miss that came later

not to mention whoever theo and hoyer draft will have to have 500 at bats at Iowa before joining the team so i would think theo will need another 5 year deal 5-10 years to build a winner through the draft.Those that think it will be done in 3 are dreaming.

you are completely right sveum adds no value to this team at all he is locked in for the season and so far he cares less if this team continues to loose theo has him in there taking all the heat while the upper management tries to rebuild this team and thats at the expense of the fans who buy tickets i can see this club with the line up is on course for a100 games loss dale if you want to coach get out i cant take another month of this clown he should be in a circuis the main attraction

Curious, jerm, what you think of Sveum so far. Do you think that he's doing a good job? Does it bother you when he takes LaHair out in the sixth inning of a 2-2 game, when LaHair is one of our two hot hitters? Or, today, he has Mather playing third while Baker plays first, when third is Baker's natural position and Mather is VERY stretched as a 3Bman? Does Sveum do enough other things well to make up for these no-brainer type moves that he misses the boat on?

Nice post. When I saw a few of Sveum's post game press conferences I immediately knew that Epstein had made the wrong choice. This guy gives me the impression he has no idea what he's doing. Example. He stated that he doesn't believe the defense is that bad. Huh? What team is he watching? When they lost 9-1 to the Marlins he stated the pitching really wasn't that bad. This guy is clueless. It looks to me as if he's unmotivated and disinterested. Another sign. And I've noticed him saying this to much. "you know." You know. You know. You know. No Dale. You don't know.

I think he is doing a fine job given the talent he has.

"Does it bother you when he takes LaHair out in the sixth inning of a 2-2 game, when LaHair is one of our two hot hitters?"

No, because LaHair can't hit lefties(never has) and the 2 back end of the bullpen guys for the Reds are both tough lefties. Don't think it would have mattered either way

"today, he has Mather playing third while Baker plays first"

Everyone has been clamoring for Mather to start and Stewart has struggled, plus as I just said, LaHair can't hit lefties and Baker can. This is a good game to get both of those guys in, which one plays 1st and which one plays 3rd I don't think really matters. Both are equally bad at both positions

"Does Sveum do enough other things well to make up for these no-brainer type moves that he misses the boat on? "

With the lack of talent this team has, I don't think there is such a thing as no brainer move. Other than maybe Garza every 5th day and Castro as your SS

I want to give Sveum a break but these type of moves are head scratchers. I understand that Mather has played 3rd in 3 of his last 137 games.

GO CUBS 2012!!!!

"I understand that Mather has played 3rd in 3 of his last 137 games. "

yes but he has also played 3rd 136 games in the minors

153-1B
462-RF
43-CF
78-LF
4-SS

It isn't like he is brand new to the position

Joe Mather hasn't played a significant portion of a season at 3B since 2004, in low A ball. He was moved to the OF because he couldn't handle 3B. Baker has played most of his pro career at 3B and is a passable defensive 3B. It does make a difference, and it IS a no-brainer.

I like a lot of things about Sveum, but I don't think he's the brightest pea in the pod. I think he's missing a few buttons from his remote.

No, both are pretty bad.

He hasn't played more than 5 games in a season at 3B since low A ball, and there is a reason for that. Clevenger was a shortstop in low A ball. Randy Wells was a C in low A ball. But we're never going to see those guys play those positions in the bigs. His ability and Baker's at 3B are not in any way comparable. It would be like saying it doesn't matter whether we start Clevinger or Castro at SS because Castro isn't a very good defensive SS.