Cubbies Corner: Theo Epstein - The Man, The Myth, The Legend

With 103 years of disappointment comes an air of scepticism. This is the situation the Chicago Cubs find themselves in going in to each of the past few seasons. However, with a renewed focus towards putting a championship contending team on the field this past season the owner Joe Ricketts and son Tom Ricketts have decided money is no object. This is the mentality which is necessary for a winning ball club in today’s baseball. The most important change that the Cubs have made is the hiring of Theo Epstein brought in to become President of Baseball Operations. The Ricketts’ brought in Epstein from the Red Sox after years of successful managing of the Boston club.

Having stolen him away from a ball club that has seen recent success under his leadership, a hefty price must be paid for his services. This fee is about twenty million over the next five years. But if this is the price for creating a winning culture that hasn’t been seen since the early 2000’s after the Steve Bartman incident, then I’m glad the Tom Ricketts is prepared to pay it. Arguably the hungriest fans in sports need something to look forward to and with Theo Epstein calling the shots from up top. With Epstein at the helm his first move was to bring in a general manager to execute his ideas and strategies going forward with the Cubs organization. The man for the job is Jed Hoyer. Another young and hungry leader within the Cubs’ trust to organize and orchestrate deals to move the club forward Hoyer will bring fresh eyes and new perspective to the 2012 season.

Back to Epstein...

A graduate of Yale he was hired by the Boston Red Sox at the age of 28 to become the youngest General Manager of a baseball in history. He ended an 86 year drought of not winning a championship for the Red Sox and looks to accomplish the same feat for the Cubs. During his nine year tenure he won two World Series Titles and took the team to the playoffs four other times taking them from irrelevance to perennial contenders. This ‘Epstein Effect’ is what the Cubs are looking for to take them mediocrity to championship contenders. Although Epstein’s Red Sox team was not afraid to spend money, he also is from the ‘moneyball’ era of baseball. He is able to find undervalued players and bring them to prominence within the Major League ranks. Some of his most notable work is with Kevin Youkilis. Taking a player no one had on their radar in the eighth round (a steal) and finding value in his playing style. His batting average in the major’s is a shade under 300 and on base percentage of just under 400. He possesses all of the skills of a highly touted prospect but Epstein and the Red Sox found him in the eighth round! It is with moves like this that the Cubs now have hopes of a World Series in the very near future. The five year plan of the Cubs with Epstein at the helm in my opinion is as follows:

Year 1: Get out of the basement of the NL Central. Find talent in the draft and begin to build up the minor league teams for the future of the club. Have a 500 record to restore the ‘roar’ of the Cubs.

Year 2: After beginning to regain success the Cubs will need to look to add pieces to become division threats and through another successful draft, and good free agency period become contenders for the title of the Central Division.

Year 3: It’s time for the young pieces and building blocks of the club to show their talent lead by strong starting pitching and win the division or gain a wild card berth.

Year 4: After having gotten a taste of the playoffs the year before and having another successful offseason the Cubs will look to launch a deep playoff run with great pitching and timely hitting necessary for good teams to perform well during the playoffs.

Year 5: Time to end the drought of what would now be 108 years and win the elusive World Series title and become a dynasty for years to come. HELL YES!

See the video of Theo being introduced as President of Baseball Operations