Mike Quade takes issue with Dale Sveum’s evaluation of Cubs’ effort
BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN dvanschouwen@suntimes.com February 2, 2012 9:08PM
Despite what new Cubs manager Dale Sveum (above) opined about the team's hustle last season, former skipper Mike Quade says, “Maybe I’m being an idiot, but I thought we gave a pretty damn good effort every night.” | M. Spencer Green~AP
Updated: March 4, 2012 8:19AM
When Dale Sveum was hired as Mike Quade’s replacement to manage the Cubs, he said the Cubs would be held to a higher standard. He suggested Quade’s Cubs were lackadaisical at times.
“When you lose that many games, there are obviously problems,’’ Sveum said. “Losing isn’t OK. Not running a ball out isn’t OK. It’s unacceptable, and that has to be communicated.’’
Quade, who is fishing on a daily basis in Florida while waiting for a major-league job opportunity to surface, didn’t like hearing that.
“It’s a beautiful day fishing in the sunshine — I appreciate you [messing] up my day,’’ Quade said, laughing. “Maybe I’m being an idiot, but I thought we gave a
pretty damn good effort every night. I don’t know, maybe that was
[Sveum’s] philosophy or a backhanded shot. I didn’t hear that.’’
Quade had to take rookie Starlin Castro aside for lapses in concentration. Aside from that, he was pleased overall with effort.
“If comments are made … there’s no reason for anybody to do anything but look forward,’’ Quade said. “I can’t be bothered because I was pretty damn happy. Did everybody run out every ball? No. That’s going to happen with a lot of people [on a lot of teams].
“I thought [Aramis] Ramirez gave a helluva effort last year. Maybe because it was contract year, I don’t know.’’
Quade, 54, had a two-year contract so he’s still getting paid. If he has the year off, he figures it’s time to do things he hasn’t been able to.
“It’s going to be strange,’’ he said. “I’m sure in a month from now I’ll be champing at the bit.”
