Theo Epstein Resigns as GM (merged threads)

[riverside sluggers]

Shaughnessy today trying to put theo in a bad light, hmm and he just so happens to work for the Boston Globe... coincidence?

 

"What is alarming -- for the future of the Sox franchise -- is Theo's sudden need to distance himself from those who helped him rise to his position of power. Lucchino and Dr. Charles Steinberg are a pair of Red Sox executives who 'discovered' Theo when he was a student at Yale ... And now Theo 'bristles at the notion of Steinberg and Lucchino taking credit for his success.' The above sentence appeared in a book I wrote on the 2004 Red Sox championship season and it was the only line Theo objected to. He thought it would get him in trouble with Lucchino. But it didn't. Lucchino laughed when he read it, and seemed genuinely amused that Theo would worry about any publicity regarding their relationship. That was in March. And now we are in October. And a considerable amount of misinformation has been spilled."

[sarasoxfan]

if he was so oppressed and wanted more autonomy, isnt reasonable to assume that all these great things he did like arming the farm system, etc were done in conjunction with the rest of the mangement team--all of whom remain.

 

I know the answer awaits but in terms of speculation, I dont think there will a noticeable difference in style, type of trades, commitment to certain prospects..etc.

[He Hate Me]

Shaughnessy today trying to put theo in a bad light, hmm and he just so happens to work for the Boston Globe... coincidence?

 

yuck that has all the smellings of a hacthet job. poor guy, he was a great competitor and deserved much much better than this from a guy who based his entire existence on the Red Sox as cursed losers only to be foiled by guess who:rolleyes:

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I agree that the brain trust of the Boston Red Sox is still in tact and the team will still put pieces together but the one part they will be missing is that special auro he brought to the team. There was something about Theo that everyone liked....being down to earth, young hot shot, whatever it was....the guy had a presence and it was a good one. He had a great deal of respect (probably more than anyone else). Tough to take in but I'm sure there is another GM out there that can get the job done. This is Boston after all....who wouldn't want a shot at that job....I'll send a resume just for the hell of it.

[Sizzlin22]

Honestly owners need to just shut the hell up and pay the Bills. This is 100% Luchino's fault.

 

This doesn't hurt us in getting big name players. Red SOx / Yankees are always the front runners for that. It's those subtle guys on other teams who turn into great guys for the Sox that Theo specialized in. Bill Mueller, David Ortiz it's guys like that Theo specialized in.

[ORS]

True, Theo did make some very good finds, but how did he do it? He used the sabermetric statistical analysis so popularized by the book Moneyball. This ownership understands the value of objective analysis, which is why they hired Bill James and went after the book's GM-hero Billy Beane. I think that demonstrates the organizational philosophy, and it makes me confident that Theo's replacement will be like-minded.

 

Of course, this is pure speculation on my part, but they have done nothing to this point that would make me think another Duquette (who used prospects like currency for past-their-prime big name stars) or a small-ball minded GM will be Theo's replacement.

[BoSox84]

I think theres also something to say for putting good people in key places, such as scouting.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I think theres also something to say for putting good people in key places, such as scouting.

True, but hopefully they remain in place.

[eZ_d0eS_iT]

I doubt Towers will come over from S.D., he has alot more experience now as a gm than when he was promoted as a scout by Lucchino in San Diego, and I doubt he's willing to have him constantly look over his shoulder and question his moves. Hunsiker might be good, but he butted heads with owner drayton mcclane so I don't think he'll mesh well with Lucchino either.

[BoSox84]

Well since Gammons said alot of the front office might leave to go to AZ, if we promote some one from with in, does anyone think that would stop some of the people from leaving.

[MC Hammer]

Bob Ryan was just on the Dan Patrick show and said that Theo was still at the Red Sox offices and plans to help with the transition. Dan asked if there was still a possibilty that Theo could agree to stay, and Bob said it wasn't likely but there is still a slim chance.

[ksushi]

Is there any truth to theo taking time off from baseball?

[Optimist]

Radio here in NY is tearing Theo apart for this.

[noonanberg]

We'll get someone to replace Theo and he'll do fine. And DAN SHAUGHNESSY IS THE BIGGEST DOUCHEBAG IN BOSTON. This guy never hesitates to rip the Red Sox a new arse hole. I hope one day someone just goes Kenny Rogers on that d***.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Bob Ryan was just on the Dan Patrick show and said that Theo was still at the Red Sox offices and plans to help with the transition. Dan asked if there was still a possibilty that Theo could agree to stay, and Bob said it wasn't likely but there is still a slim chance.

Ever break up with someone ? Do you still love me ? Yes. What are the chances of us getting back together ? It's possible. Any of you that have quit, or start looking for a new job, know your mind is alreading made up. You've alreading made a decision, otherwise you wouldn't be looking. Theo doen't come back.

[Soxfan1]

MAybe Luchino leaked the story to the globe and Theo is pissed.

[stocker323]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/051101

 

Fantastic column by Simmons today, really covers all angles.

[ORS]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/051101

 

Fantastic column by Simmons today, really covers all angles.

I was just coming to post the same link. His take nails it for me.

[User Name]

I think I'm the only one, but I kinda blame Theo for leaving.

[yankeessuck013]

not sure if this has been posted yet but it gives a little insight into how one Red Sox player feels about Theo leaving.

 

"BOSTON -- As sparkling Red Sox rookie Jonathan Papelbon packed up his belongings the day after the 2005 season ended, he had a chat with Theo Epstein that served as welcome motivation for the winter.

"He said, 'Come back, be ready to pitch and obviously we would like to have you in the starting rotation,'" said Papelbon. "He said, 'Be ready to pitch and win the position. That's all you have to do.' I told him that's what I'm going to do and I'm gonna get ready, and I'll be ready next year."

 

Papelbon will be back all right, hopefully for years to come. But the hard-throwing right-hander, who turns 25 on Nov. 23, got his first in-depth lesson in what a business baseball can be.

 

As it turns out, Epstein, Boston's general manager the last three seasons, won't be back.

 

And seeing how it was Epstein who drafted Papelbon in June 2003 (fourth round), and oversaw his fast leap through the Minor League system to the Red Sox, this was a crushing blow for the phenom.

 

"Then, come to find out, he's going to be leaving -- that's kind of tough, man," Papelbon said from Jacksonville, Fla., where he was in the process of moving into a new home which he will share with his new wife, Ashley Jefferies, after their wedding on Nov. 12.

 

"From my standpoint, it's kind of really hard to talk about," continued Papelbon. "This is the guy that gave me a sh-ot to play baseball. I was really kind of shell-shocked when I found out. I had a lot of respect for Theo. It's hard to explain."

 

Hard to explain because Papelbon, as enormously talented as he is, happens to still be at the point of his career where some nurturing is required. While manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Dave Wallace -- not to mention veteran teammates like Mike Timlin and Curt Schilling -- will still be around to provide that, Epstein's voice is one he will miss.

 

"It was almost like he was part of the family," Papelbon said. "He always gave me confidence. He always said, 'Keep your head up high.' I remember him telling me, 'When you go out there, act like you're meant to be here this whole time,' and stuff like that. He always gave me that confidence. Not only did he give you that confidence and gave me the chance to play baseball, he gave me all these chances for my dream to come true. Not only did he do that, but I think we became friends. That's also means a lot to me as well."

 

Papelbon, who made his Major League debut on July 31, was perhaps the biggest bright spot the Red Sox had down the stretch of the 2005 regular season. Working as the primary setup man in a depleted bullpen, Papelbon posted a 1.29 ERA in the final month. Though Boston was swept out of the Division Series by the White Sox, Papelbon stepped up, firing four sh-ut-out innings while allowing just two hits.

 

Epstein, when he was put into the general manager's position on Nov. 25, 2002, vowed to turn the Red Sox into a "scouting and player development machine."

 

That was a goal that came to fruition, and Papelbon was a poster child for the amateur scouting and player development done by the club under Epstein's watch.

 

Now, Papelbon will forge ahead with a yet-to-be determined general manager.

 

"For me, man, it was disappointing to see him go, but at the same time, I wish him all the best in what he does," said Papelbon. "I know he'll be successful in what he does."

 

The same, too, it seems, would be true of Papelbon.

 

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs."

 

Kind of lets you know what kind of person Theo Epstein was.

[Soxfan1]

He backfired on us. He is great with negoitions and he must have finally realized luchino is trying to screw me over.

[Soxfan1]

People say this is what drove Epstien away.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/10/30/lets_iron_out_some_of_this_dirty_laundry/?page=1

[example1]

Please, for the love of GOD, Boston Globe, FIRE THIS JACK-ASS.

[BoSox84]

I just dont understand why if you have pretty much a done deal would you go and do and attack your GM through a writer? Was it some kind of ego trip for LL. It just pisses me off that this has happened.

[RedSoxRooter]

It is an ego thing. Theo basically had Lucchino by the balls.

 

He got the money he wanted

He got the years he wanted

He got a little more power I'm sure

 

But Lucchino still had to show him who's boss. So he had the Globe run the story.

 

Theo was probably feeling a little unsure about the job anyway, but did battle and won his contract war - probably a little surprised by himself that he got everything he wanted.

 

Then once he realised Larry was going to start using the media on him, he just said screw it. He took the high road and left.

[yeszir]

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/FG_sox-halloween.jpg

[Sox Fan on Cape]

http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/FG_sox-halloween.jpg

Does this mean Theo brought it to the house and stayed there ?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Whats reall upsetting about this is if the fans could choose between Larry Lucchino and Theo Epstein......Theo would be the hands down choice of the people of Boston. Johny Henry should realize that and understand this is a mistake. I mean I'm sorry but Kevin Towers is no Theo Epstein. The two guys I would have been interested in (Gillick & Hunsinker) look close to getting deals with other clubs.....suck

[BoSox84]

Yea Gillick is now Phillys GM

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2211215

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Lets get Peter Gammons to be our GM hahaha