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Monday, October 31, 2005

Theo Walks Away from the Red Sox

Epstein had done some agonizing soul-searching the past few days, torn between staying at the job he had always coveted since his childhood days in Brookline and leaving because of intra-organizational politics and power struggles that he ultimately decided he could not live with any longer.

Now do you guys believe me about the factions?

Thanks to the quick link by Keith Willoughby.

Dan Szymborski Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:47 PM | 350 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:51 PM (#1713505)

Well that's a turn around from the earlier reports. This is going to be an interesting off season to say the least.
DB

2. Flynn Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:52 PM (#1713511)

This is a bad day.

This is a very bad day.

If you are a Red Sox fan, it's time to panic.

3. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:52 PM (#1713513)

Sounds like just a great place to work. Good luck to the next guy.

4. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:53 PM (#1713517)

amazing. what can i say...

i wonder what will happen to bill james and the other "stat guys" boston hired? voros m. already jumped ship. we should torture him for details :)

5. karlmagnus Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:54 PM (#1713519)

Shaughnessey has single handedly created a new Curse of Theo Epstein, that will stop us winning until 2090!

I have to say, I agree with the lynch mob; it's just a question of whether to lynch CHB or Lucchino first.

6. BeQC Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:56 PM (#1713525)

Good stuff from Theo. Stating the obvious, how much of a pr*ck must Lucchino be that, all things, considered, Theo would walk away from this. Three years, $1.5m to stay in a place where you are revered. John Henry must have to be seriously re-evaluating Lucchino's place in the organization.

7. Moses Taylor demands to be housewarmed Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:56 PM (#1713528)

Wow.

He'll get another job right away, right? Who's still looking-Philly and LA?

8. rb's team is hopeful for the new year! Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:56 PM (#1713531)

Bill James gonna take over?

9. The George Sherrill Selection Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:56 PM (#1713533)

John Henry must have to be seriously re-evaluating Lucchino's place in the organization.

Obviously not if he's giving Lucchino this much rope.

10. myshkin Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:57 PM (#1713534)

Sign DePo?

11. The Rafael Bournigal fan club Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:57 PM (#1713538)

Come to Chicago, Theo. PLEASE.

12. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:58 PM (#1713540)

The guy who traded Kazmir for the GM in BOS!

13. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: October 31, 2005 at 10:58 PM (#1713541)

BeQC - I hope John Henry is re-evaluating LL, but I imagine that's not the case. How involved is Henry really? I thought he was pretty hands off.
DB

14. chris p Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:00 PM (#1713545)

I have to say, I agree with the lynch mob; it's just a question of whether to lynch CHB or Lucchino first.

both! i think i have a pitchfork and some rope somewhere! who's with me?!?!

15. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:00 PM (#1713546)

Come to Chicago, Theo. PLEASE.

The White Sox already have a GM.

16. Fly, the most judgment-free human being on Earth Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:01 PM (#1713548)

Larry Lucchino should be fired on the spot.

17. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:02 PM (#1713551)

Sign DePo?

That would be fun. Take DePo and his complete lack of interpersonal skills and media savy and drop him in that market in that front office. Sounds like a fantastic reality show pitch.

18. chris p Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:02 PM (#1713553)

Larry Lucchino should be <strike>fired</strike>killed on the spot.

fixed.

19. Liver of blaspheming 'zop Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:03 PM (#1713558)

####. I wish the Red Sox had kept Epstein. Rivalries are much more fun when both teams are excellent. I'd rather have a 100 win Yankee team lose in the ALCS to a 100 win Boston team than a 95 win Yankee team win the pennant unchallenged, weird as that sounds.

Oh well.

20. Schilling's Sprained Ankiel Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:03 PM (#1713559)

Well, that was a short golden age.

21. BeQC Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:03 PM (#1713560)

Obviously not if he's giving Lucchino this much rope.

I would have to imagine the impending backlash from this (which could very well be tempered by who Boston brings in/promotes as their next GM) could put some pressure on Lucchino. IMO, you would think that Henry would be support Lucchino in negotiations, especially with a likely assurance from LL that Epstein would be back. But by not delivering, LL has placed himself as the executive face of that organization, in terms of what happens on the baseball side. I would just think this has a high probablility of biting LL in the ****, which goes without being said.

22. Jim Wisinski

Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:04 PM (#1713564)

He'll get another job right away, right? Who's still looking-Philly and LA?

I doubt it. LA won't go for another saber GM, Philly sends like a crappy situation and maybe one not very different than the conflicts with oversight from above he had in Boston, and the Rays aren't looking for a true GM because that's more or less Andrew Friedman's spot.

23. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:08 PM (#1713569)

Sign Lasorda?

24. Repoz

Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:08 PM (#1713570)

Mike and the Mad Dog are ripping Theo...jeez!!!

25. Flynn Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:11 PM (#1713572)

WEEI is on major freakout. The hosts are freaking out, the callers are freaking out.

I hate the Big Show, but this is riveting radio.

26. Rodder Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:12 PM (#1713575)

Obviously, I would love to see him go to Philly. But given the total lack of imagination the club has shown in its modern history, I don't think Theo would like it any better than in Boston. Nor do I think he would be attractive to the Phillies front office. I used to think Wade was a cause of said lack of imagination, I am more and more thinking he was a symptom.

27. Halofan Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:12 PM (#1713577)

If this means that Manny is closer to being an Angel as a salary-dump style steal, I love it.

28. Dr Love Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:13 PM (#1713579)

Who's still looking-Philly and LA?

Tampa Bay too.

29. Maury Brown Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:13 PM (#1713580)

Epstein had done some agonizing soul-searching the past few days, torn between staying at the job he had always coveted since his childhood days in Brookline and leaving because of intra-organizational politics and power struggles that he ultimately decided he could not live with any longer.

Lucchino....

30. Long John McCaine Mutiny on the Bounty (scott) Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:14 PM (#1713581)

Larry Lucchino is a piece of ####.

31. Nate Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:15 PM (#1713582)

I have no idea what to say or do. I'm in shock. This is ridiculous.

We win the World Series for the first time in generations, we win 95 games and tie for the division lead the next year, AND WE STILL (FORGET) IT UP.

I feel exactly the same right now as I did about this team before they finally won it. It's really unexplainable. Here they go again, f'in it all up.

Here comes another 85 years......

32. jimmybob Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:16 PM (#1713583)

What are Mike and the Mad Dog saying?

33. Johnny Zen Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:17 PM (#1713585)

Is the year off from baseball assertion credible?

34. Bob T Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:17 PM (#1713587)

Maybe this is all part of a DePodesta-Epstein prisoner exchange.

35. Eraser-X is emphatically dominating teh site!!! Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:17 PM (#1713588)

Was this what they meant when they entitled the book, "Mind Game"?

36. Dan Szymborski

Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:18 PM (#1713589)

I hate the Big Show, but this is riveting radio.

Weeeeeeeel, it's the big show! It's a big bad show tonight!

37. myshkin Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:18 PM (#1713591)

Last year he said that he wasn't going to stay in baseball forever and that he wanted to "help" people like his brother Paul. I didn't know if he was serious or not, but I wonder...

38. Long John McCaine Mutiny on the Bounty (scott) Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:19 PM (#1713594)

can Henry fire Lucchino and rehire Theo?

39. The Rafael Bournigal fan club Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:20 PM (#1713596)

#36 is RDF, if only because the same thing ran through my head.

40. Repoz

Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:21 PM (#1713597)

What are Mike and the Mad Dog saying?

Epstein has never scouted...knows very little about baseball, unlike Minaya ("WHO SCOUTED SAMMY SOSA FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!", Lucchino, Sabean etc...he just got out of college and should stick to his "On base stuff and computer printouts"...he now wants to do social work, "BAH"

on and on...amazing

41. Eric L Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:22 PM (#1713599)

Not to pull a Levski, but Theo would be a good fit in San Diego under Alderson, and it looks like Towers has one foot out the door.

42. JH (in DC) Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:24 PM (#1713601)

That six-month extension Bowden got doesn't preclude him from being fired, say as soon as there's an owner, which should be, say, ASAP?

43. Timebomb Murdoch Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:24 PM (#1713602)

I don't see Theo going to the Phillies or the Dodgers - where will he land?

44. mr. man Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:25 PM (#1713605)

worse yet, it's going to be tough to attract a top gm now because of the politics issues. BOS may have to promote someone from inside now.

45. villainx Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:25 PM (#1713606)

that will stop us winning until 2090!

i could live with that.

46. Andere Richtingen

Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:29 PM (#1713612)

BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MONEYBALL???!!!!????

47. Maury Brown Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:29 PM (#1713613)

That six-month extension Bowden got doesn't preclude him from being fired, say as soon as there's an owner, which should be, say, ASAP?

Not... until... at... least... the... owners'...meetings.

Nov. 16th and 17th.

You don't think he'll have landed somewhere between now and then? The ironic nature of DePosdesta being fired and having Theo land in his place is just too tempting to not think about.

48. VegasRobb Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:29 PM (#1713614)

Wow. Just shocking. I'll be curious to read what the Boston media have to say about this unfortunate(?) turn of events. Wasn't the media anti-Theo?

Maybe KC can hire Bill James as a consultant now?

49. JohnC Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:29 PM (#1713615)

My prediction: Towers to the Sox and Theo to the Padres.

50. Maury Brown Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:30 PM (#1713617)

worse yet, it's going to be tough to attract a top gm now because of the politics issues. BOS may have to promote someone from inside now.

Maybe Josh Byr... Oops.

51. bbc is prejudice bout men Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:30 PM (#1713619)

hmmmmmmmmmm

wonder what plaschke gonna say if mccourt wants to interview theo

snicker

sorry red sox fans

52. Rafael Bellylard: Built like a Molina Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:31 PM (#1713622)

Now if the new ownership in Tampa wants to REALLY show us they're serious...

53. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:32 PM (#1713623)

I hate the Big Show, but this is riveting radio.

Listen to 890. Felger has guests on who know what they are talking about. No (idiot) caller-driven radio.

I don't see Theo going to the Phillies or the Dodgers - where will he land?

The Herald says he might take a year off.

54. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:32 PM (#1713624)

BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MONEYBALL???!!!!????

Mind Game: How the Boston Red Sox Got Smart, Won a World Series, and Dissolved Into An Orgy of Infighting and Drove Their GM Away.

55. Timebomb Murdoch Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:32 PM (#1713625)

Agree with JohnC. Now that I've read the link - blush - it seems pretty obvious that he will land in San Diego. Whether he is the GM this year, or next, well...

56. karlmagnus Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:32 PM (#1713626)

Assuming Lucchino now has primary control, he and CHB have just cost Henry about $100 million, in the value of the franchise. There was a substantial "brand value" in what henry paid for the Sox, which is seriously damaged by this type of thing, and will be further damaged if Lucchino engages in the kind of revolving door tem construction he seems addicted to.

THAT if nothing else may make Henry stop and think. Or, alternatively, sue the Globe, which being owned by the NYT has a huge and obvious conflict of interest.

57. Sean McNally Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:34 PM (#1713627)

This is just stunning... where does Boston go from here? I mean, is this just Sox fans overreacting, how much impact does a GM really have?

That said, I feel pretty good right now... Theo and Cashman are supposedly good friends, would Epstein take an AGM job in New York? Could he be that pissed at Boston?

Just. Wow.

58. SABRJoe Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:35 PM (#1713630)

Theo to Washington with DePo as AGM?

59. Jefferson Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:37 PM (#1713634)

Holy cow. That money could really smooth over lots of workplace issues for lots of people.

I've been hearing that Brian Sabean was a likely candidate to replace Theo. So maybe Lucchino has cost two teams their GMs?

Wasn't Lucchino also the one who balked at the A-Rod trade?

This is so shocking that it's actually kinda fun.

60. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:37 PM (#1713635)

Wasn't the media anti-Theo?

Just, or most obviously, the Curly Haired Boyfriend, who likes to play tough guy when ownership won't talk to him (Kraft, prior Celtics owner), but if ownership gives him access and quotes to personally attack players and others, he gives a nice, wet kiss in the newspaper.

61. Bobby Bonilla's Annuity (Matt) Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:38 PM (#1713637)

Heeyyy Phillies.

Please hire him. I want an internship.

62. Nate Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:39 PM (#1713638)

If we go from Theo to Sabean, I'm going to be very very very mad.

63. Flynn Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:40 PM (#1713640)

That money could really smooth over lots of workplace issues for lots of people.

That should tell you how bad it is.

64. Liver of blaspheming 'zop Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:41 PM (#1713642)

I'm kind of surprised that this thread isn't blowing the John F. Mabry thread out of the water...

65. Flynn Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:43 PM (#1713645)

Listen to 890. Felger has guests on who know what they are talking about. No (idiot) caller-driven radio.

I don't live in Boston, so not an option. :(

66. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:44 PM (#1713648)

<u>WHAT?!?!?!?!</u>

67. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:45 PM (#1713653)

This is just stunning... where does Boston go from here? I mean, is this just Sox fans overreacting, how much impact does a GM really have?

The problem isn't exactly replacing Theo. There was a system partially in place, and a lot of good people who could do some large percentage of his job.

The problem is that this means Lucchino has won the power struggle. Whoever takes over will be under Lucchino's thumb. This sucks.

68. Bob T Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:47 PM (#1713659)

Frank McCourt now looks like he's only the second dumbest owner in baseball.

69. Flynn Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:47 PM (#1713660)

The problem is that this means Lucchino has won the power struggle. Whoever takes over will be under Lucchino's thumb. This sucks.

Exactly. This isn't talent leaving. This is office politics, and the Bad Guy won.

70. Johnny Zen Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:47 PM (#1713662)

My prediction with the Phillies is that they will show some interest in Theo, get distracted and lose Hunsicker to Tampa and Gillick to LA, and then when Theo decides to go to San Diego or leave baseball altogether to herd goats in Tibet for a year the Phils will be left to chose between a freshly fired Jim Bowden and Ruben Amaro Jr.

Just some of that trademark Philadelphia optimism.

71. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:48 PM (#1713664)

At least we won the World Series last year.

72. A Day In the Park Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:48 PM (#1713665)

This isn't good, but let's try an look at the positive side.

If Lucchino was always involved in all the personnel decisions, then maybe losing Theo isn't that bad, after all, we still got Larry Lucchino.

That still remains.

Red Sox fans...Calm down! We'll be fine.

73. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:49 PM (#1713666)

Wasn't the media anti-Theo?

No. He won the World Series. The talk radio callers are absolutely killing Lucchino and Henry right now.

What sucks is that I've been arguing that this could happen for a couple months now. And I don't get to enjoy vindication in any way.

74. Nate Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:50 PM (#1713670)

I will pay for the hosting and domain name:

firelarrylucchino.com

If anyone is willing to maintain and contribute to the site, since I know nothing about that side of things.

75. bp Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:52 PM (#1713676)

good stuff...I enjoy seeing the chaos in beantown.

76. PETCO Thread Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:53 PM (#1713678)

I'm kind of surprised that this thread isn't blowing the John F. Mabry thread out of the water...

I don't have anything to worry about.

Do I?

I sense that Primates don't fear my powers anymore. *Sigh*

77. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:54 PM (#1713681)

Flynn,
The show is about to go off the air, but here is the link to streaming:

ESPN Boston 890

Local programming from 4-7, M-F and Patriots pre- and post-game.

78. Flynn Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:55 PM (#1713682)

Wasn't the media anti-Theo?

The Globe staffers picked him Bostonian of the Year.

The whole media is in love with him. The fanbase is in love with him.

Even CHB has had moments of being in love with him - which is why CHB is such a smarmy bastard. At least Plaschke always hated DePo.

79. BeQC Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:55 PM (#1713686)

The problem isn't replacing Theo, it's finding a combination of people that can equal Theo's production. First off, the Sox need to bring in a guitar player that can match Epstein's prowess at Boston's annual "Hot Stove, Cool Music"--look for the Sox to sign Epstein's old friend, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. Second, Lucchino will have to find a young Bostonian with boyish good looks who dreamed of being Boston's GM and is comfortable with the media. For that role, I can see Ben Affleck. There is, of course, the whole baseball issue, but I have a feeling I know who...coughLucchinocough...that may be.

80. Josh Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:55 PM (#1713687)

Everything I've ever said it wrong, my world is shattered, and I fear that our own affirmative action program in Boston will come to an end.

And, LKAHFLASFHLASHF:ASLKFAS:LFJA.

Mikael: if we made a bet for a quarter, I'd be sending it to you right now.

*sigh*

81. Flynn Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:56 PM (#1713690)

The show is about to go off the air, but here is the link to streaming:

Damn, I thought it was just ESPN's national coverage.

82. SABRJoe Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:57 PM (#1713691)

So when do Lester, Youkilis and Hanley get traded for Thome and David Bell?

83. RP Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:57 PM (#1713692)

For that role, I can see Ben Affleck.

That's a great idea!

84. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:59 PM (#1713698)

Flynn,
890 is continuing local coverage past 7:00 PM.

85. The George Sherrill Selection Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:03 AM (#1713700)

Larry Lucchino should have his children taken away.

86. Jefferson Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:03 AM (#1713702)

Who else is going to think of Lucchino now as the $1.5 Million Jerk?

87. Johnny Zen Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:04 AM (#1713704)

Gammo just said on Sportscenter that Theo will be happy "doing social work and a little guitar tech work and then eventually returning to baseball." Or something to that effect.

88. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:04 AM (#1713705)

So when do Lester, Youkilis and Hanley get traded for Thome and David Bell?

Just after Manny gets traded for Finley. Gotta replace that power production!

89. Maury Brown Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:06 AM (#1713707)

Posted by Frank McCourt

Yeah, Theo? Yeah, this is Frank. Yes... Yes, I know I just fired Paul. Yes... Yes, I know that T.J. Simers will chew me up. But, bubbie, you simply have to fly out here to LA.

90. susan mullen Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:09 AM (#1713712)

Anyone who takes Theo's job should be well advised that a certain individ-
ual who happens to write a newspaper column will know everything that goes
on in his life. Whatever else happens, no matter how good he is, he can
always be spanked and sent to bed with no dinner. This same individual who
writes a local newspaper column disdainfully said that he and all the other
writers thought that the Red Sox would beat the White Sox. The paper he
writes for is part owner of the Red Sox. So, there are lots of bosses.

91. Flynn Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:12 AM (#1713716)

890 is continuing local coverage past 7:00 PM.

I'm listening now w/ Verducci. Not bad.

92. Flynn Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:12 AM (#1713719)

No way Theo goes to LA.

Maybe SF? Pleasseee to go the Giants, Theo.

93. Flynn Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:13 AM (#1713722)

Oh, it's Buster Olney. Bleh.

94. BeQC Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:14 AM (#1713723)

Posted by Larry Lucchino:

My #### doesn't work in negotiations.

95. SABRJoe Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:14 AM (#1713724)

Brynes is gone. At this point I'd be only content with DePo or Towers -- maybe Forst -- as the next Boston GM. I have confidence they'd continue on with the current blueprint.

96. Handle's Messiah Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:16 AM (#1713725)

Perspective often takes time.

97. Bobby Bonilla's Annuity (Matt) Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:17 AM (#1713727)

My friend who went to Brookline High School just came into my room, crying, devastated.

98. Phil Coorey, You Won't Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:20 AM (#1713728)

This is terrible. Can someone explain where CHB comes into the eqation , please?

99. The elusive Robert Denby Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:20 AM (#1713730)

It'd be a real shame if something happened to Allard Baird...

100. Phil Coorey, You Won't Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:20 AM (#1713731)

I am fuming now Byrnes has gone

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Theo Walks Away from the Red Sox

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