about two weeks ago, the Red Sox quietly parted ways with one of the most significant figures in baseball history Jeremy Kapstein when Dave Dombrowski didnt renew his contract after 14 years as a senior adviser of baseball projects.
Kapstein, known to many fans as the man with the yellow headphones behind home plate at Fenway Park, was brought to the organization by Larry Lucchino, who had used Kapstein as an adviser in San Diego for many years. Kapstein reported to Lucchino, who has since stepped down as team president, replaced by Sam Kennedy.
Im very disappointed, Kapstein said, but I am grateful for the 14 seasons I was part of a great Red Sox organization. The many close friends Ive made both off and on the field, and within the organization and throughout Red Sox Nation, are truly a treasure for me. I know the Red Sox have a great future.
I have the utmost respect for Jeremy for all that hes accomplished in this game, said Dombrowski. Hes a friend and hes helped me a great deal over the ears. I think the world of him. Hes a good man and I know he did so much to help the Red Sox over the years and I know most of his work had been with Larry Lucchino. As I was putting together our scouting staff I just couldnt fit a full-time role for him.
Kapstein, a former player agent, once represented, among others, Fred Lynn, Carlton Fisk, Rick Burleson, Jerry Remy, Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers, Steve Garvey, Dave Concepcion, Tony Perez, Don Baylor, Dusty Baker, and Ken Brett, some of the biggest names in the game in the 1970s.
Kapstein was one of the first to use statistics to defend his players in arbitration, and he still owns one of the best records against the owners, including some classic battles with the As eccentric Charles O. Finley. Kapstein was considered one the greatest negotiators of his time. He was a pioneer, negotiating some of the first guaranteed contracts and no-trade clauses.
