Theo Epstein
Encyclopedia
Theo Nathan Epstein is the President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs
.
On November 25, 2002, he became the youngest GM in the history of Major League Baseball
when the Boston Red Sox
hired him at the age of 28. In 2004, he was general manager of the club that won the first World Series championship by the Red Sox in 86 years and was in the position when the team won a second in the 2007 season. Epstein resigned in October 2005, but was rehired as GM and Executive Vice President on January 24, 2006. On October 21, 2011 he resigned from his job in Boston to become President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs
.
(a 1991 graduate), and never played baseball for the Brookline High School Warriors, but dreamed of working for the Red Sox. Epstein has a fraternal twin brother, Paul Epstein; together they founded a charity, "Foundation to be Named Later." Epstein's grandfather, Philip G. Epstein
, and great-uncle, Julius J. Epstein
, won Academy Awards
for the screenplay of Casablanca
, while his father, the novelist Leslie Epstein
, is the head of the Creative Writing Program at Boston University. Epstein's sister, Anya Epstein, was a writer for the television series Homicide: Life on the Street
and Tell Me You Love Me
. On January 1, 2007, Epstein married Marie Whitney, a volunteer at Horizons for Homeless Children. An early report on the marriage from Boston Globe sportswriter Gordon Edes
reported the site of the wedding was Nathan's Famous
hot dog stand at Coney Island
. Edes later published a correction, noting that he had fallen for a prank by Theo's father, Leslie. The site and actual date of the wedding was never released, but the Boston Herald
later published a story claiming the wedding took place on Red Sox owner John Henry
's yacht in Saint Thomas
. On December 12, 2007, Epstein's wife gave birth to the couple's first child, Jack, in Boston
, Massachusetts
.
where he lived at Jonathan Edwards College
and served as sports editor of the Yale Daily News
, and graduated in 1995 with a degree in American Studies
. Eventually he took a job in the PR
department of the San Diego Padres
where he worked closely with Larry Lucchino; soon Epstein would become the team's Director of Baseball Operations. While working for the Padres, he studied full-time at the University of San Diego School of Law
, where he earned a Juris Doctor
degree but has never been a member of the State Bar of California
.
became president and CEO of the Red Sox on November 25, 2002, and hired Epstein to work under him. At the end of the 2002 season, Lucchino appointed Epstein to replace interim GM Mike Port
. Epstein is credited with making several key acquisitions, including David Ortiz
, Kevin Millar
, and Curt Schilling
, during his first tenure as Red Sox GM, who were regarded as instrumental in breaking the so-called "Curse of the Bambino
" and winning the Red Sox their first World Series Championship since 1918.
On October 31, 2005, Epstein resigned, rejecting a three-year, $1.5-million-per-year contract for personal reasons. According to The Boston Globe
, "This is a job you have to give your whole heart and soul to," he said. "In the end, after a long period of reflection about myself and the program, I decided I could no longer put my whole heart and soul into it." Because it was Halloween the night he resigned from the Red Sox, Epstein left Fenway Park wearing a gorilla suit in an attempt to avoid reporters. A witness reported spotting a person wearing a gorilla suit driving a Volvo similar to Epstein's that night. The suit was loaned to him and was later auctioned for $11,000. The money raised was given to The Jimmy Fund
and Epstein's Foundation to be Named Later.
Epstein remained in contact with the team's front office and on January 19, 2006, Epstein and Red Sox management announced his return. Five days later, the team announced that he would resume the title of General Manager and add the title of Executive Vice President. In November 2008, Epstein announced, at the annual General Manager meeting, that he had signed a new contract with the Red Sox but declined to disclose the terms of the deal.
regarding a November 2006 email exchange he had with Red Sox scout Marc DelPiano on the possible acquisition of then free agent
closer Eric Gagné
. In the email, Epstein asks DelPiano, "Have you done any digging on Gagné? I know the Dodgers
think he was a steroid guy. Maybe so. What do you hear on his medical?" DelPiano replied that "steroids IS the issue" with Gagné, questioned his "poise and commitment" and expressed questions about his durability "without steroid help." Despite the reservations expressed by Delpiano, Epstein traded Kason Gabbard
and minor league outfielder
s David Murphy and Engel Beltré
to the Texas Rangers
for Gagné on July 31, 2007.
.
On October 19, 2011 It has been reported that Epstein's official title with the Cubs will be president, as it is expected that the current San Diego Padres
General Manager Jed Hoyer will assume the same position with the Cubs. On October 21, 2011, the Red Sox and Cubs jointly announced Epstein had assumed the position as President of Baseball Operations of the Chicago Cubs
and had resigned as the Red Sox General Manager, being replaced by Ben Cherington
.
On October 23, he took out a full page ad in the Boston Globe thanking Red Sox fans and ownership for their support.
On October 25, the Cubs officially introduced Theo as President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs.
In December 2008, Baseball America named Epstein its Baseball America Major League Executive of the Year.
In September 2009, Epstein was named Sporting News Executive of the Decade. At the same time, the Red Sox were named Sporting News Team of the Decade.
In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named him as number 3 on its list of the Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade (in all sports).
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
On November 25, 2002, he became the youngest GM in the history of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
when the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
hired him at the age of 28. In 2004, he was general manager of the club that won the first World Series championship by the Red Sox in 86 years and was in the position when the team won a second in the 2007 season. Epstein resigned in October 2005, but was rehired as GM and Executive Vice President on January 24, 2006. On October 21, 2011 he resigned from his job in Boston to become President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
Early life and family
He attended Deerfield AcademyDeerfield Academy
Deerfield Academy is an independent, coeducational boarding school in Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States. It is a four-year college-preparatory school with approximately 600 students and about 100 faculty, all of whom live on or near campus....
(a 1991 graduate), and never played baseball for the Brookline High School Warriors, but dreamed of working for the Red Sox. Epstein has a fraternal twin brother, Paul Epstein; together they founded a charity, "Foundation to be Named Later." Epstein's grandfather, Philip G. Epstein
Philip G. Epstein
Philip G. Epstein was an American screenwriter most known for his adaptation in partnership with his twin brother, Julius, and others, of the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's which became the Academy Award-winning screenplay of the film Casablanca .Epstein was born in New York City and...
, and great-uncle, Julius J. Epstein
Julius J. Epstein
Julius J. Epstein was an American screenwriter, who had a long career, best remembered for the adaptation - in partnership with his twin brother, Philip, and others - of the unproduced play Everybody Comes to Rick's that became the screenplay for the film Casablanca , for which its team of writers...
, won Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for the screenplay of Casablanca
Casablanca (film)
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...
, while his father, the novelist Leslie Epstein
Leslie Epstein
Leslie Donald Epstein is an American novelist.He has written nine novels including King of the Jews , Pandaemonium , and San Remo Drive: A Novel from Memory , based on his childhood growing up in Hollywood in the 1940s and 50s...
, is the head of the Creative Writing Program at Boston University. Epstein's sister, Anya Epstein, was a writer for the television series Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street is an American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Homicide Unit. It ran for seven seasons on NBC from 1993 to 1999, and was succeeded by a TV movie, which also acted as the de-facto series finale...
and Tell Me You Love Me
Tell Me You Love Me
Tell Me You Love Me is an American cable television drama series that premiered on HBO and on The Movie Network on September 9, 2007.The series was created by Cynthia Mort and originally conceived as sexlife. The pilot episode was produced and directed by Patricia Rozema and shot in Winnipeg,...
. On January 1, 2007, Epstein married Marie Whitney, a volunteer at Horizons for Homeless Children. An early report on the marriage from Boston Globe sportswriter Gordon Edes
Gordon Edes
Gordon Edes is an American sportswriter and covers baseball for . He is best known for his long time coverage of the Boston Red Sox baseball beat for the Boston Globe. He is a voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame....
reported the site of the wedding was Nathan's Famous
Nathan's Famous
Nathan's Famous is a company that operates a chain of U.S.-based fast food restaurants specializing in hot dogs. The original Nathan's restaurant stands at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in the Coney Island neighborhood of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.-History:Nathan's began as...
hot dog stand at Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
. Edes later published a correction, noting that he had fallen for a prank by Theo's father, Leslie. The site and actual date of the wedding was never released, but the Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
later published a story claiming the wedding took place on Red Sox owner John Henry
John W. Henry
John William Henry II is a futures and foreign exchange trading advisor who founded John W. Henry & Company . He is the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool F.C., and co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing. In March 2006, Boston Magazine estimated his net worth at $1.1 billion, but noted...
's yacht in Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea and with the islands of Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island a county and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands , an unincorporated territory of the United States. Located on the island is the territorial capital and port of...
. On December 12, 2007, Epstein's wife gave birth to the couple's first child, Jack, in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Early career and education
Epstein attended Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
where he lived at Jonathan Edwards College
Jonathan Edwards College
Jonathan Edwards College is a residential college at Yale University. Established in 1932, it is the oldest of Yale's residential colleges. Members of the Yale community refer to it informally as J.E....
and served as sports editor of the Yale Daily News
Yale Daily News
The Yale Daily News is an independent student newspaper published by Yale University students in New Haven, Connecticut since January 28, 1878...
, and graduated in 1995 with a degree in American Studies
American studies
American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also includes fields as diverse as law, art, the media, film, religious studies, urban...
. Eventually he took a job in the PR
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
department of the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
where he worked closely with Larry Lucchino; soon Epstein would become the team's Director of Baseball Operations. While working for the Padres, he studied full-time at the University of San Diego School of Law
University of San Diego School of Law
The University of San Diego School of Law, commonly referred to as USD Law, is a law school located on the campus of the University of San Diego in San Diego, California in the community of Linda Vista. Founded in 1954, the law school has held ABA approval since 1961...
, where he earned a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree but has never been a member of the State Bar of California
State Bar of California
The State Bar of California is California's official bar association. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law, investigating complaints of professional misconduct, and prescribing appropriate discipline...
.
Boston Red Sox
Former Padres President Larry LucchinoLarry Lucchino
Lawrence Lucchino, is the current President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, and a member of John W...
became president and CEO of the Red Sox on November 25, 2002, and hired Epstein to work under him. At the end of the 2002 season, Lucchino appointed Epstein to replace interim GM Mike Port
Mike Port
Michael D. Port is an American professional baseball executive. He was vice president, Umpiring for Major League Baseball from August 2005 through March 2011, when he left that position. He has been a front-office executive for three MLB clubs...
. Epstein is credited with making several key acquisitions, including David Ortiz
David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
, Kevin Millar
Kevin Millar
Kevin Charles Millar is an American former professional baseball first baseman and current analyst for MLB Network and New England Sports Network. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season. Millar is the nephew of former...
, and Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
, during his first tenure as Red Sox GM, who were regarded as instrumental in breaking the so-called "Curse of the Bambino
Curse of the Bambino
The Curse of the Bambino was a superstition cited as a reason for the failure of the Boston Red Sox baseball team to win the World Series in the 86-year period from 1918 to 2004...
" and winning the Red Sox their first World Series Championship since 1918.
On October 31, 2005, Epstein resigned, rejecting a three-year, $1.5-million-per-year contract for personal reasons. According to The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
, "This is a job you have to give your whole heart and soul to," he said. "In the end, after a long period of reflection about myself and the program, I decided I could no longer put my whole heart and soul into it." Because it was Halloween the night he resigned from the Red Sox, Epstein left Fenway Park wearing a gorilla suit in an attempt to avoid reporters. A witness reported spotting a person wearing a gorilla suit driving a Volvo similar to Epstein's that night. The suit was loaned to him and was later auctioned for $11,000. The money raised was given to The Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund raises vital funds to support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1948 to raise funds for patient care and the fight against children’s cancer, the Jimmy Fund now supports the search for new cancer...
and Epstein's Foundation to be Named Later.
Epstein remained in contact with the team's front office and on January 19, 2006, Epstein and Red Sox management announced his return. Five days later, the team announced that he would resume the title of General Manager and add the title of Executive Vice President. In November 2008, Epstein announced, at the annual General Manager meeting, that he had signed a new contract with the Red Sox but declined to disclose the terms of the deal.
Mitchell Report
In December 2007, Epstein was mentioned in the Mitchell ReportMitchell Report (baseball)
The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, informally known as the "Mitchell Report", is the result of former Democratic United States Senator from Maine...
regarding a November 2006 email exchange he had with Red Sox scout Marc DelPiano on the possible acquisition of then free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
closer Eric Gagné
Éric Gagné
Éric Serge Gagné is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1995, Gagné began his career as a starting pitcher...
. In the email, Epstein asks DelPiano, "Have you done any digging on Gagné? I know the Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
think he was a steroid guy. Maybe so. What do you hear on his medical?" DelPiano replied that "steroids IS the issue" with Gagné, questioned his "poise and commitment" and expressed questions about his durability "without steroid help." Despite the reservations expressed by Delpiano, Epstein traded Kason Gabbard
Kason Gabbard
Kason Ronald Gabbard is a starting pitcher who is a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed.-High school:Gabbard played high school baseball at Royal Palm Beach High School in Royal Palm Beach, Florida...
and minor league outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
s David Murphy and Engel Beltré
Engel Beltré
Engel Manuel Beltré is a Outfielder who is currently on the Texas Rangers 40-man roster....
to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Gagné on July 31, 2007.
Chicago Cubs
On October 12, 2011, Epstein agreed to a five-year contract worth $18.5 million with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
On October 19, 2011 It has been reported that Epstein's official title with the Cubs will be president, as it is expected that the current San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
General Manager Jed Hoyer will assume the same position with the Cubs. On October 21, 2011, the Red Sox and Cubs jointly announced Epstein had assumed the position as President of Baseball Operations of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and had resigned as the Red Sox General Manager, being replaced by Ben Cherington
Ben Cherington
Ben Cherington is the general manager of the Boston Red Sox.He followed Theo Epstein as general manager, having worked in the team's baseball operations office since 1999, before Epstein's arrival...
.
On October 23, he took out a full page ad in the Boston Globe thanking Red Sox fans and ownership for their support.
On October 25, the Cubs officially introduced Theo as President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs.
Honors and awards
In 2007, the United States Sports Academy named Epstein the recipient of its "Carl Maddox Sport Management Award."In December 2008, Baseball America named Epstein its Baseball America Major League Executive of the Year.
In September 2009, Epstein was named Sporting News Executive of the Decade. At the same time, the Red Sox were named Sporting News Team of the Decade.
In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named him as number 3 on its list of the Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade (in all sports).
External links
- Theo Walks Away From Sox
- Theo Epstein News Video Clips
- Theo's Statement of Resignation
- Sox Make An Executive Revision, article discussing Epstein's rehiring, from The Boston GlobeThe Boston GlobeThe Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
, January 25, 2006. - Theo Epstein bio/profile