-
Elijah Harper, R.I.P.
May 18, 2013 | 1 comment
-
That’s a Lot of Caca in Caracas
May 16, 2013 | 7 comments
-
Canadian PM: Keystone XL Pipeline “Absolutely Needs To Go Ahead.”
May 16, 2013 | 2 comments
-
Has Obama Done Sufficient Damage Control With The IRS?
May 15, 2013 | 8 comments
-
Liberals Surprisingly Re-Elected in British Columbia
May 15, 2013 | 1 comment
The Spectacle Blog
WEEI radio here in Boston is reporting that Theo Epstein will leave his position as General Manager of the Boston Red Sox to join the front office of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs haven’t given Epstein a formal title but he will have considerably more responsibility and higher compensation. The deal is worth more than $15 million over five seasons.
Epstein has been the Red Sox GM since 2003. He was offered the position after Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane turned it down as documented in Moneyball (both the book and the movie.) The Red Sox hired Epstein at the age of 28 which made him the youngest GM in MLB history. Epstein played a crucial role in hiring Terry Francona to succeed Grady Little as manager and was also instrumental in signing David Ortiz, extricating Kevin Millar from his contract with the Chunichi Dragons and acquiring pitcher Curt Schilling from the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2004, the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. Another World Series title came three years later. The Red Sox reached the post-season in six of the nine years Epstein was GM.
Although Epstein had his share of influence Red Sox President Larry Lucchino often put the kibosh on his ideas. As a result of this, Epstein would briefly leave the GM job following the 2005 season. Epstein was temporarily succeeded by Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington. Hoyer would subsequently become the GM of the San Diego Padres while Cherington is widely expected to take over the reins from Epstein.
Notwithstanding the Red Sox collapse last month, Epstein had probably gone as far as he could go at Fenway. It appears that this feeling was probably mutual as evidenced by Red Sox principal owner John Henry’s public statement that Epstein wasn’t going to be the Red Sox GM forever. So Epstein going to Wrigleyville is probably best for all parties concerned.
Of course, the $64.37 question is who will Epstein name to manage the Cubs. It’s doubtful he’ll stick with Mike Quade. Will Terry Francona reunite with Theo in Chicago? Maybe. But there will be pressure brought to bear on Epstein to hire Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg. That won’t be a hard sell. Indeed, Epstein offered Sandberg a chance to manage the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2011 although he would opt to manage the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs in the Phillies organization instead. Interestingly, the Ironpigs beat the PawSox in the International League’s Governor’s Cup semifinals.
Whoever Epstein decides to put in the Cubs dugout, should the Cubs win the World Series in the next five years he will have written his ticket to Cooperstown.
View all comments (10) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/10/12/epstein-heading-to-wrigley
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Ailes: A Voice for the Silent Majority
- The Vast and the Tiny
- Hannah and Her Friends
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Steve A| 10.12.11 @ 1:22PM
If Epstien ushers in a Cubbie WS victory, he can go ahead & run against & defeat Rahmbo for mayor of Chicago.
He could also consider Obama for manager after the 2012 season. A) He will no longer be employed. B) He has as much experience managing a baseball team as he had managing anything else prior to 08'.
Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 1:30PM
If Epstein ushers in a Cubs WS victory, he should be voted into the hall of Fame WHILE ACTIVE by ACCLAMATION. This is the toughest GM job in the Majors.
JP| 10.12.11 @ 2:34PM
I love Epstein. But, I'm reminded of this saying, "Wrigley Field a MLB graveyard." Many a good baseball career came to an abrupt end in that famed ballpark.
On a positive note, Epstein's official title will be President and GM (not official yet. But, the rumours around Chicago the last 2 weeks is that he demanded both). Epstein will have total control of baseball operations. Congrats and good luck.
JP| 10.12.11 @ 2:37PM
And being a long suffering former Cub Fan I demand that Epstein hire Sandberg as Manager and Maddox as pitching coach. Perhaps he could even get Mark Grace away from the microphone and hire him as Bench Coach. One final demand: make Steve Stone a talent scout.
Occam's Tool| 10.12.11 @ 4:15PM
Steve A---He's a White Sox fan. He loves "Cominskey" Park, remember?
albert constantine jr| 10.12.11 @ 10:22PM
Having seen the basketball player-in-chief try to throw in a first pitch from the mound, I feel there would be no danger that the Chisox would feel slighted by him being the Cubs manager.
aware| 10.13.11 @ 6:19AM
Since the "election" coverage here is treated like a horse race, it is entirely appropiate that half the time be spent on a stupid sports nonsense. Distractions will continue until collapse ensues.
Steve A| 10.13.11 @ 9:38AM
aware, When you go to a restaurant, do you order everything on the menu or select what you want? If you don't like these articles you have the freedom to not read them & shut up.
aware| 10.13.11 @ 11:14AM
When you go to a restaurant do you expect WWF matches in the middle of your meal? Last time I looked this wasn't Sports Illustrated. Make any sense to you? Probably not.
ys| 10.25.11 @ 12:48AM
Slewing bearings manufactured by Yisong Precision Bearing can be used in radar tracking
system production, high precision machine tools turntable, medical equipment etc. http://www.1stbearing.com