Dale Curtis Sveum is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and manager who earned a net worth of $2 million from his MLB career.
Reflecting on Dale Curtis Sveum’s journey through Major League Baseball (MLB) and his transition into coaching, I am struck by how much of a rollercoaster ride a sports career can be. Starting out with a net worth of $2 million, considering the financial ebbs and flows of professional sports, feels both impressive and hard-earned.
Imagine, over 12 years, playing for seven different teams – each move, I’m sure, bringing its own set of challenges and rewards, and then transitioning into managerial roles, beginning with the Pittsburgh Pirates and eventually making his way to the Kansas City Royals. It’s quite the journey, with earnings totaling around $2.9 million as a player and additional income from coaching and management roles bolstering that net worth.
Dale Curtis Sveum’s peak playing season was in 1987 with the Brewers, where he achieved a .252 batting average with 25 home runs and 95 RBIs. Sveum has had a successful coaching career post-retirement, including a World Series win with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and a remarkable tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers. That’s not something many can claim, and it certainly speaks volumes about his versatility and understanding of the game beyond just playing it.
He married his high schoolmate Darlene, with whom he has two children, and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Read further to see more details about Sveum, his biography, wife, children, and his career that led to his million-dollar net worth.
Profile Summary
| Name | Dale Curtis Sveum |
| Date of birth | November 23, 1963 |
| Net worth | $2 million |
| Place of birth | California |
| Career | Former Baseball player and Coach |
| Age | 61 years old |
| Highest Salary | $800,000 |
| Wife | Darlene Sveum |
| Father | Rustin Sveum |
| Children | Rustin Sveum Britanne Sveum |
| High school | Pinole Valley High School |
Dale Sveum Biography
Dale Curtis Sveum was born in Richmond, California, on November 23, 1963. During his youth, he attended Pinole Valley High School in Pinole, California, where he showed potential in football and basketball. Despite his prowess on the football field, Sveum ultimately pursued a baseball career, a decision that led him to the professional leagues.
Dale married his high schoolmate, Darlene Sveum. They have two children, Rustin and Britanne Sveum, and live in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Rustin Sveum, born March 1, 1994, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 39th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft. Before that, he played for Utah Tech University Trailblazers, where he not only contributed his athletic skills on the field but also bagged a degree in Business Administration.
Dale shares a close friendship with Robin Yount, a fact highlighted by an incident reported by the Bleachers Report. During a quail hunting trip, the Milwaukee Brewers legend accidentally shot Dale in the back and right ear with pellet gunfire. Fortunately, Dale was not injured in the mishap. With a touch of humor and light-heartedness, he subsequently nicknamed Yount “Dick Cheney,” referencing a similar incident involving the former Vice President.
Dale Sveum Net Worth
Dale Sveum’s playing career spanned from 1986 to 1999, with notable stints at teams such as the Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Yankees.
Here is a run-through of Dale’s salary, culminating in his $2 million net worth.
Initially, the Brewers paid Dale $60,000. Throughout his five-year tenure with the team, his performance led to salary increases, culminating in a final salary of $100,000. During his subsequent moves to the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and Oakland Athletics, his earnings increased by $9,000.
In 1998, while playing for the New York Yankees, his salary significantly increased from $109,000 to $800,000. This was part of his deal with the Yankees, valued at $1.6 million.
Finally, in 1999, while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates- a team he had previously played for in 1996 and 1997 with salaries of $109,000 and $400,000 respectively – his salary was set at $200,000. This stint with the Pirates marked his last team engagement.
After his active-playing career, Sveum transitioned into coaching and management, where his roles came with financial rewards. While specific figures for these positions are not publicly disclosed, it is reasonable to assume that his income from these roles significantly contributed to his net worth.
High-level positions, such as managing the Chicago Cubs and serving as a coach for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Kansas City Royals, especially in a sport as lucrative as baseball, come with considerable salaries.
Sveum earned approximately $2.9 million as a player from 1986 to 1999.
Moreover, considering the longevity of Sveum’s career in baseball – both on the field and in various coaching capacities – his earnings would have been supplemented by potential bonuses, endorsements, and other income opportunities related to his status as a former player and respected coach.
These additional streams considerably increase his overall financial standing beyond the base salaries received during his playing days.
Dale Sveum Career
Dale Curtis Sveum excelled as an All-American high school quarterback. Despite his prowess on the football field, his heart was set on baseball, leading him to draft with the Milwaukee Brewers as their first-round amateur pick in 1982.
He debuted on May 12, 1986, when he played for the Brewers. Sveum quickly established himself as the Brewers’ regular shortstop. His standout season was in 1987, boasting a .252/.303/.454 batting line with 25 home runs and 95 RBIs.
That record remains the highest peak of his playing career because an unfortunate injury in 1988 sidelined him for the entirety of the 1989 season.
Throughout his 12-year MLB career, Sveum played for various teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Yankees. He ultimately retired in 1999 with a career batting average of .236/.298/.378.
Post-playing Career
Sveum seamlessly transitioned into a coaching and managerial career post-retirement. He first took the helm as the manager of a minor league team, Pittsburgh Pirates AA affiliate in Altoona, from 2001-2003 and earned a post-season berth in his final season.
He served as the Boston Red Sox’s third base coach in 2004, contributing to a World Series championship win despite criticism for his aggressive style.
In 2006, Sveum joined the Milwaukee Brewers’ coaching staff under Ned Yost, assuming various roles, including bench coach, third base coach, and eventually the manager’s position in September 2008. Despite being passed over for the managerial gig full-time in 2009, he made significant contributions as the team’s hitting coach. Under his guidance, the Brewers saw a remarkable improvement in their offensive performance, consistently finishing in the top ranks for runs scored and home runs hit and reducing strikeouts over three years.
During his tenure, Sveum implemented strategies that helped rejuvenate the careers of several players, including outfielder Nyjer Morgan (also known as Tony Plush), infielder Casey McGehee, and catcher Jonathan Lucroy. However, his time as a coach was not without challenges. For instance, some players, like outfielder Carlos Gomez, only found success after changing their approach following Sveum’s departure.
After the Brewers, Sveum coached the Chicago Cubs in 2011 but was fired by team president Theo Epstein after two years.
Sveum’s assignment as the hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals in 2014 marked another chapter in his coaching career, with immediate improvements in the team’s offense. He left the Kansas City Royals in 2019.
Teams Dale Sveum played for
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Chicago White Sox
- Oakland Athletics
- Seattle Mariners
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- New York Yankees
Position: Shortstop, Third Baseman, & First Baseman
Teams Dale Sveum Coached
- Pittsburgh Pirates (Minor league team AA affiliate in Altoona)
- Boston Red Sox (Third base coach)
- Milwaukee Brewers (Various roles including bench coach, third base coach, and hitting coach)
- Chicago Cubs (Manager)
- Kansas City Royals (Hitting coach)