Since 1918, the Red Sox organization has been marred by huge mistakes, the kind that reduce an entire nation to offering up their worldly possessions and firstborn children for a championship. And now, even after exorcising the demons, the front office has learned nothing.
First there was the selling of the Bambino to finance a play called “No, No, Nanette,” which led to 86 years of misery and 26 trophies finding their way to the Bronx. Then there was the decision to leave an old veteran at first base in the 1986 World Series, even when there was a better defensive option sitting on the bench. A decade later, a Sox General Manager, Dan Duquette, declared that Roger Clemens was in the “twilight of his career.” Five World Series appearances, two rings, and four Cy Young Awards later for Clemens, Duquette is right where he belongs—out of baseball.
And the latest debacle: Theo Epstein, the youngest GM to ever win a World Series, is now unemployed.
Hired at 28 years old, the youngest GM at the time, Theo had the opportunity to reach for his lifelong goal and help his childhood team win it all. He did, and a year ago, drenched in champagne, Theo officially reached demigod status in Boston.
“I gave my entire heart and soul to the organization,” Epstein said in a statement. “During the process leading up to today’s decision, I came to the conclusion that I can no longer do so. In the end, my choice is the right one not only for me but for the Red Sox.”
This is definitely not the right move for the Red Sox. Theo, the boy wonder, was the greatest thing to ever happen to the Red Sox organization. And after bringing the Sox to the promised land, the organization couldn’t even muster up a contract to match the one offered to current Oakland GM Billy Beane in 2002.
Look at what Theo has accomplished in his tenure. He took his chances on a little known, injury-prone player from the Minnesota Twins. David Ortiz has only become “the best clutch hitter in the history of the Boston Red Sox,” as put by the current Red Sox owner John Henry.
He traded an up-and-coming third baseman Shea Hillenbrand, and picked up Bill Mueller, who just happened to win the American League batting title that year.
How about flying to Arizona and sacrificing Thanksgiving with his family to have dinner with a pitcher whose bloody sock is now part of Red Sox lore.
Let’s not forget Dave Roberts, a utility man Theo acquired. A single 90-foot sprint was all it took to put Roberts in Bostonian lore forever.
Oh, and he had the stones to trade a beloved superstar turned sour teammate, Nomar Garciaparra, for Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz, just to make sure 1986 never, ever happened again.
The most impressive accomplishment, however, is that he did all this without sacrificing the Red Sox farm system. The minor leagues have never been more stocked for the Sox, with position prospects like Hanley Ramirez and pitchers Jon Lester, Abe Alvarez, and Craig Hansen ready to make the jump to the pros.
Theo wasn’t afraid to take on the Evil Empire, and he made the Red Sox Nation believe again. Now, Brookline’s native son has left us, because we left him no choice.
