Filed under: Boston Red Sox
So the prodigal son returns.
I am not so sure this is a big surprise to anyone. But nevertheless, while Larry Lucchino plays the part of the older, uncelebrated brother in the famous Biblical parable, John Henry and the Red Sox nation throw a miniature party for their beloved former GM. With the announcement coming less than a week after the defending SuperBowl Champion Patriots bowed out of the playoffs early, it seems the timing is perhaps less than accidental. Considering the Boston sports fan and media magnifying glass was about to ravage the slumping Bruins, baby Celtics, and seemingly disorganized Red Sox Front Office, the Alka-Seltzer-esque relief that the return of Theo brings is a perfect distraction.
As of yesterday, “In Theo We Trust” resumes and the Red Sox Nation eagerly awaits the brilliant personnel moves that will presumably redeem an otherwise average off-season. However, let us all keep in mind that the baseball prodigy that we refer to as Theo Epstein also brought us a $40 million Edgar Renteria whom we begrudgingly were forced to trade after the experiment with the former golden glover failed miserably. And although his resume includes breaking an 86 year curse and delivering salvation to many Sox fans in the form of a World Series Championship, young Theo is only one piece of the Red Sox puzzle that needs to be completed for the 2006 season.
Perhaps what baffles me the most in all this “Theo officially returns” hoopla is the obliviousness to Theo’s role in the organization the past 80 days. After the first month when Theo didn’t even remotely show interest in joining another organization, was anyone doubting his correspondence with the Red Sox Front Office? Wasn’t this even more obvious when two internal assistants and close friends of Theo’s were appointed to his former position despite all signs pointing to the fact that they might not be the most qualified people for the job? And to top all this off Mr. Hot Stove himself Peter Gammons broke news that Theo was still involved and could possibly resume a role in the Red Sox organization. And although Mr. Gammons is not always right about his rumor predictions, I would find it hard to believe that he heard this one from a bouncer at the Paradise.
Yet I am still hearing grumblings questioning why Theo would still consult his former team and then eventually return. Let me state it very simply: this is his dream job. As in Theo’s answer to the Office Space question “what would you do if you had a million dollars?” And although doing two chicks at the same time might have crossed his mind(he does have a Y chromosome doesn’t he?), Theo’s most likely answer would be “General Manager of the Boston Red Sox”. And although a brief clash of egos drove him from the job only a few months ago, does it surprise anyone that both parties would swallow their pride a little to reach a compromise that everyone seems happy with? It certainly doesn’t surprise me that a young and confident Theo Epstein wouldn’t allow his relationship with one man ruin an extended career with his dream position. Why is this surprising to anyone else?
In any event, as of yesterday, Theo returns. To what extent no one is quite sure yet. But John Henry did prove to everyone that he is not a living skeleton by flexing his Principal Owner muscles(skeletons don’t have those) and bringing back the most successful General Manager in Sox history. Theo proved his point, Ben & Jed are three sheets to the wind celebrating right now, and Larry will perhaps don a fake smile and pretend that this was a “mutual reunification.” Regardless of the politics, I am happy he is back. Now let’s get ourselves a center fielder.
theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com
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