Theo Epstein, who was introduced as the Cubs President of Baseball Operations today, wrote an op-ed in the BOSTON GLOBE under the header, "Farewell, Red Sox Nation." Epstein writes for the last decade, "I gave everything I had to the Red Sox and received even more in return. I grew enormously as a person, had some successes, and made a lot of mistakes, too. I still love the organization, enjoy close relationships with owners John Henry and Tom Werner -- as well as a complicated but ultimately productive and rewarding relationship with Larry Lucchino -- and count many of my co-workers among my dearest friends." Epstein explains the "reason I am leaving has nothing to do with power, pressure, money, or relationships. It has nothing to do with September, either." Epstein: "Although I tried my best to fight it, I couldn’t escape the conclusion that both the Red Sox and I would benefit from a change sometime soon. ... It was very difficult deciding to leave the place where I grew up, where I met my wife, where my son was born, where my family and closest friends live, and where I help run a charitable foundation. And it was equally hard to part with the organization and the people, including John, Tom, and Larry, who entrusted me with this role at such a young age and supported me along the way. But it was the right thing to do." Epstein writes, "Lost in the cacophony of the last few weeks is the fact that the Boston Red Sox remain one of the preeminent organizations in baseball, with an extremely bright future." He adds, "Despite recent criticism, Red Sox ownership remains a model for others to follow. John, Tom, and Larry demonstrate their commitment to winning in the most fundamental way possible: If something needs to be done to help the team on the field, it gets done" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/25). Epstein's op-ed appears on the front-page of today's Boston Globe with the text "Epstein Tells Why He Left," and it is the most popular story on Boston.com at presstime (THE DAILY).
POWER STRUGGLE? In Chicago, Paul Sullivan reports with Epstein's arrival Cubs President Crane Kenney "will move exclusively to the business side of the organization, a shift" Cubs Chair Tom Ricketts said in August "already had begun." But while Kenney was "supposed to stay in the background during the 'general manager' search that netted both a president and a GM, sources indicate Kenney was involved from the get-go, bragging to associates he was running it." Sullivan notes how Epstein and Kenney "share their power is a story that will play out over the next few years." Kenney's business contacts and "ability to enhance Wrigley Field revenues" make him a "valued asset of the Ricketts family, while his reputation for turning the ballpark into his own playground annoys others." An associate of both Ricketts and Kenney said that the Cubs owners "feel they 'owe' Kenney." The associate said, "Tom is an uber-fan when it comes to the Cubs, but he doesn't know baseball. He looks at Crane as someone who deserves his undying loyalty because he helped him with the financials of the sale" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/25).
