Dale Sveum doesn’t condone Kerry Wood throwing glove into stands
BY GORDON WITTENMEYER Twitter: @gdubcub May 9, 2012 4:08PM
Cubs manager Dale Sveum, right, and pitcher Kerry Wood talk at the infield during batting practice at Wrigley Field Wednesday, May 9, 2012, in Chicago. | John J. Kim~Sun-Times
Updated: May 9, 2012 4:12PM
Dale Sveum said he didn’t see it, but the Cubs’ manager still didn’t like Kerry Wood’s glove-throwing response to Tuesday’s rough outing against the Atlanta Braves.
``Do I care? Of course, I care,’’ Sveum said. ``I don’t condone it or wish it to happen all the time, but we all know in this game there’s frustrations that happen. And sometimes we regret things we do, that’s for sure. We’re not perfect human beings.’’
That was especially true on the mound Tuesday night for Wood, who threw only nine of his 22 pitches for strikes in walking two of the first four batters in the eighth to load the bases in a tie game - before giving up the decisive two-run single to Dan Uggla.
When he eventually escaped further damage by getting an inning-ending pickoff at second - after falling behind 3-0 to Jason Heyward - Wood threw his glove and hat into the stands just before descending into the dugout.
When asked in a straightforward, respectful manner about the glove/hat-throwing, three questions into his postgame media interview, Wood snapped:
``Irrelevant, dude,’’ he said. ``Why the f--- would you even bring that up? You guys have a good night.’’
And then he left.
Sveum, who chatted with Wood near second base during batting practice Wednesday, said he still plans to use Wood late in games but acknowledged Wood’s not where the team needs him to be since spending 20 days on the DL with shoulder fatigue.
``We’ve got to get him out there. We’ve got to get him built up and comfortable on the mound in game situations, whether it’s every other day for a little while,’’ Sveum said. ``It’s just a matter of getting comfortable and getting in a rhythm. The bottom line is throwing strikes and being able to use your fastball and getting back in counts.’’
Wood is averaging nearly three base runners an inning in his six appearances this season.
