Theo Epstein

As I watched Jacoby Ellsbury steal home against the Yankees Sunday night, I thought to myself: "This pretty much sums it up." An aging Andy Pettitte forgets to deliver from the stretch, letting a youthful Ellsbury elude another future Bingo regular, Jorge Posada's, tag at the plate. Would Justin Masterson have made the same error? The two ballclubs could not be headed in more opposite directions. Every year, the Red Sox seem to call up another hyped prospect, while the Yanks continue to overpay for limited talent, and shun their farm system.

Continue reading "Red Sox continue to steal away Yanks' future"

"Our young catchers are doing a really good job in camp," said general manager Theo Epstein. “We had to make this move now because we need George and Wake to work together and we need to make sure we know what we have, and prepare for the season."

Continue reading "Anyone Seen My Josh Bard?"

Wonder Led the Red Sox to the Promised Land." The book is centered on Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, and is set for an April 1 release. If you'd like, check it out on Amazon.com. (That's the direct link to my book's info page.)

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           Ye Gods, they traded Manny. I, for one, didn’t think it was going to happen. Manny’s rant on ESPN Desportes, notwithstanding, my money was on him staying. Though now that he’s gone and Joe Torre’s problem, I’m not as surprised as I thought I’d be or as disappointed, either. Ok, let’s face it. . first ballot Hall of Famer, who worked hard at his primary objective – hitting baseballs. Can’t fault his work ethic there. It was the other stuff that was a little troublesome. Doggin’ it to first base. Getting’ a big kick out of failing to toss a ball in from left field? We all chimed the mantra – Manny being Manny, but you know what? I’m not at all sure if I were his boss instead of a relatively (and I stress, relatively) devoted fan, I wouldn’t have just fired him. Sorry, boyo, you may think it’s funny that a guy advanced a base ‘cause you were too full of yourself to hustle, but I don’t find it amusing. Nor do I think bad-mouthing management was all that amusing either. . . Later. .

Continue reading "Ding Dong, the (Boston Red Sox) Witch is Dead"

ays left field better than anyone else in baseball) cannot be filled by anyone else. 

Though Theo Epstein and the Red Sox are strict about handing out multi-year contracts to players in their mid-thirties, they've made exceptions before, and for the sake of Red Sox nation and the team that I grew up loving, I hope they do again.

Continue reading "Just Hit"

It's one of those days in recent Red Sox history. Any 20-something Red Sox fan can likely remember where he or she was standing when it happened. I was at Tanglewood in Western Massachusetts, and when I was first told the news I didn't believe it.

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In fact, since Theo Epstein has had control of the general manager reins, he has built the team around the "Moneyball" philosophy of high on base percentage and not giving away outs. The team has not only ignored stolen bases, but has pretty much discouraged them not wanting to risk giving away outs.

Continue reading "The Go Go . . . Red Sox?"

           Whew! We got that out of the way.

           Papelbon is signed. I’m not sure I would have survived an entire season without a glimpse of him in red socks, doing the Funky Chicken again. If I’m dating myself with the archaic dance, so be it. I’m convinced that if he were in pinstripes and did one of those dances, or any other form of eccentric behavior for which he’s known, on a Yankee mound, George Steinbrenner would go into cardiac arrest.

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ws at the rooftop parking lot across the street. But the Sox wanted no part of it.  Young Theo Epstein could have been as popular as Juan Epstein had Manny got away.

Whatever the reasons were, the Red Sox brass must have had their heads up their ass. Was it because Manny was late to a game, or because one of his 4 grandmothers was sick?  Or was it because he didn't pinch-hit in a game against Philadelphia because he said he was too weak. These so called off field shenanigans were reportedly disrupting the Red Sox clubhouse.  How sad is that?  If anything, I always thought Manny's behavior added a little interest to the clubhouse. Manny has a good personality and always keeps you guessing, unlike some of the many boring guys before him.  I'd much rather talk about Manny Ramirez than some of these guys.

Continue reading "Manny May Be Out in Left Field...But ..."

However, there does not appear to be any rush to trade Crisp and Theo Epstein seems content to wait for the right deal to come along, and it certainly will as one of these teams will eventually become desperate for a proven centerfielder. Will that happen before the Red Sox break camp or will they wait until during the season and they get a better sense of their pitching situation?

Continue reading "Boston Red Sox Spring Training Stories To Follow"

The Red Sox made an interesting move yesterday in signing outfielder Bobby Kielty to a non-guaranteed minor league contract. The move comes as a bit of a surprise considering the Red Sox already have a surplus of outfielders with Coco Crisp currently holding the role of fourth outfielder.

Continue reading "Red Sox sign Kielty, Pave Way to Move Crisp?"

As we move into the 2008 season, members of the Red Sox Nation will once again sit poised on the edge of their seats as they ponder yet another chapter in what has to be the most storied rivalry in all of major league sports - Sox-Yankees.

Continue reading "Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry"