Sveum is on deck for interview today

Red Sox notebook

November 02, 2011|By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Hitting coach Dale Sveum (right), celebrating a Brewers playoff win earlier… (jared wickerham/getty…)

During the two years he spent coaching third base for the Red Sox, Dale Sveum drew the ire of some fans with an aggressive approach that often resulted in runners getting thrown out at the plate.

But he also drew the admiration of the Sox baseball operations staff with his attention to detail, willingness to embrace advanced statistics in pregame preparation, and ability to communicate with the players.

That has led to Sveum being invited back to Fenway Park today to interview for the team’s managerial vacancy.

Sveum, who turns 48 this month, left the Sox after the 2005 season and has been with the Brewers since, serving as a coach under three different managers. He has been a third base coach, bench coach, and hitting coach.

Sveum was Milwaukee’s interim manager at the end of the 2008 season, going 7-5 to get the team into the postseason. The Brewers then lost their Division Series in four games to the Phillies.

The Sox interviewed Philadelphia bench coach Pete Mackanin Monday. General manager Ben Cherington has not revealed any other candidates, but Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux are considered possibilities.

Sveum’s managing experience is otherwise limited to three seasons in the Pittsburgh organization. But he had a 12-year career in the majors and has a good reputation as a coach for his teaching ability and knowledge of the game.

Three Gold Glovers

Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, and second baseman Dustin Pedroia were announced as Gold Glove winners in the American League last night. It was the first Gold Glove for Ellsbury, to go along with his AL Comeback Player of the Year award. It was the third for Gonzalez, the first two coming with San Diego, and the second for Pedroia. The Sox had not had three Gold Glove winners in a season since 1979 when Rick Burleson, Dwight Evans, and Fred Lynn won. “It feels great,’’ said Gonzalez on the show announcing the awards on ESPN. “It’s pretty awesome hearing Dustin won as well. It’s pretty awesome playing along side him. Being able to win in both leagues I’m pretty grateful to everyone who voted for me.’’

Still stalled

The Cubs and Sox have gone 21 days without being able to decide compensation for Theo Epstein. Yesterday was the deadline commissioner Bud Selig set, and no deal was announced. Epstein told reporters in Chicago that MLB could give the teams an extension. MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said there was not yet a mechanism in place for Selig to decide the issue. Cherington said Monday that the sides had made little progress … Righthander John Lackey underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in California and was resting comfortably, according to the Sox.

No room for Ortiz?

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