DALLAS –– Dale Sveum was always enticed with the possibility of managing in a large market. That yearning prompted him to interview for the Red Sox’ and Chicago Cubs’ managerial vacancies.
Although he received his wish when he was named manager of the Cubs, the former Brewers hitting coach still reflected on the interview process with the Red Sox, where he never received an offer despite two meetings with management.
“I don’t know if it was surprise or not [that the Red Sox didn’t offer], but it was that time where somebody was going to offer me the job or not offer it,” Sveum said. “The Cubs offered it to me first and that’s where it ended up anyway. After going through all those second interviews, it was nice to get one offer.”
After his second round of interviews with both clubs, Sveum returned back to Milwaukee optimistic. It paid off.
Chicago president of baseball operations Theo Epstein wound up pulling the trigger on Sveum quickly while the Red Sox went in a different direction with Bobby Valentine.
Despite the end result with the Red Sox, the Cubs skipper insists he’s simply thrilled that he accomplished his goal.
“The opportunity to win in these big markets, it magnifies everything and created an atmosphere every single night that you don’t get in other cities,” Sveum said. “When you manage in these cities when the spotlight is on your team all the time, it’s a lot more enticing to have one of these jobs.”
