1384 replies to this topic

[pedros hairstylist]

Channel 7 in Boston saying he just stepped down and is cleaning out his stuff. WEEI reporting the Channel 7 report. I really have no more to say but don't know how to stop typing..

Edited by pedros hairstylist, 31 October 2005 - 06:03 PM.

[5belongstoGeorge]

The hot stove league is warming up...

[Judge Mental13]

Just heard it on the Big Show, Ordway's going off on the Globe for getting it wrong right now, implying that a deal might have been done that Theo is now going back on.

[pedros hairstylist]

NECN, which is Boston's pseudo CNN station, is also reporting this too.

[redsoxjamie]

Say it ain't so.

Edit: I got it. This is Haloween, right? This is just a Haloween scare designed to freak out Red Sox Nation! What could be scarier than losing our damn smart GM at the beginning of a crucial offseason????

Ha ha. Very funny. We get the joke. . . you can come back now, Theo. . . PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?????

Edited by redsoxjamie, 31 October 2005 - 05:25 PM.

[Angel Santos in Red]

Just heard - my jaw physically dropped.

May I be the first to say "Good for you, Theo, if that cockmaster Lucchino was dicking you around."

Screw him and be happy. I envy ya, buddy.

[Country Sinker]

Theo stickin' it to the man!
But I am not happy about it
Gosh the blame game with go on for eons.

[normstalls]

Gut Punch!

F U Larry and whoever was involved with screwing this thing up.
Absoltuely brutal move by the Sox...they look PATHETIC right now!!!!!

Frickin idiots.

[bankshot1]

I hope this is Theo's idea of an Orson Wells "War of the World" prank.

[JenInMA]

As much as it sucks, I can't say it's surprising. It was taking way too long to close the deal, despite reports they were close. Ugh.

[Robinson Checo]

Awful news if true.

Uber-contol freak Lucchino better understand what the hell he is getting into here. Meanhile, the MFY have no problem getting Cashman to stay for another three years.

Who is tougher to work for Steinbrenner or Lucky?

EDIT: The winter of discontent is upon us-

Edited by Robinson Checo, 31 October 2005 - 05:32 PM.

[5belongstoGeorge]

LJ needs to start working on getting excerpts fropm Theo's book now!

My loyalty rests with the laundry... I imagine that both sides have played a part in this if Theo has really quit. Not only that, if Lucky works for Henry then Henry needs to be held accountable for anything stupid tht Lucky did...

I have a copy of Mind Game to read on the plane tomorrow. Where should I send my resume?

[bankshot1]

details??

[One Red Seat]

I guess Luchiino is taking that bad cop role a little too seriously. Nice F'ing job LL and JWH. You know they are going to spin it into some kind of BS story blaming Theo but I for one am not buying it for 1 second. Much more likely that they lowballed him and generally dicked him around and he got fed up with it.

[John Dopson]

Channel 4 has it now. It's over. For Christ Sake. Red Sox won't comment. Say a deal was in place and it fell apart completely.

[Paradigm]

I know I'm not supposed to curse hardcore on the main board..

but what the fucking fuck is this shit? i swear...i fucking swear...

this is awful if true. please tell me we're jumping the gun. please.

[amfox1]

It's now up on the Herald's website. It blames Lucky and states that Theo will probably sit out for a year.

http://redsox.boston...rticleid=109723

Theo Epstein stunned the Red Sox and the baseball world this afternoon by walking away from his job as general manager.

Just hours before his deal was set to expire at midnight, Epstein told his bosses and associates at the Red Sox’ Yawkey Way offices that he had decided not to accept a three-year deal worth $1.5 million a year, an extension for the contract he signed on Nov. 25, 2002.

Epstein had done some agonizing soul-searching the past few days, torn between staying at the job he had always coveted since his childhood days in Brookline and leaving because of intra-organizational politics and power struggles that he ultimately decided he could not live with any longer.

Money and length of the contract were not issues in the past few days for Epstein, who had lobbied hard for an annual salary of more than $1 million a year.

Epstein had come close to agreeing to a deal Saturday evening but had not officially conveyed acceptance of it. On Sunday, he began having serious misgivings about staying on. A leading contributing factor, according to sources close to the situation, was a column in Sunday’s Boston Globe in which too much inside information about the relationship between Epstein and his mentor, team president and CEO Larry Lucchino, was revealed -- in a manner slanted too much in Lucchino’s favor. Epstein, according to these sources, had several reasons to believe Lucchino was a primary source behind the column and came to the realization that if this information were leaked hours before Epstein was going to agree to a new long-term deal, it signaled excessive bad faith between he and Lucchino.

***

A next step for Epstein, 31, remains unknown, although he has told associates that he may leave baseball and look for another line of work. The Dodgers, Phillies and Rays currently have GM vacancies but it is believed that Epstein is likely to take a year off from baseball before considering a return.

Besides dealing with the likely public relations fallout from Epstein’s departure, the Red Sox will also have to replace him as well.

Veteran general managers Pat Gillick and Gerry Hunsicker have been interviewing for some of the current openings and will likely be at least considered for this one. Current San Diego general manager Kevin Towers recently interviewed for the vacant Arizona Diamondbacks GM vacancy, which has since been filled by Epstein’s former assistant, Josh Byrnes, late last week. Towers worked for Lucchino and with Epstein in San Diego before Lucchino became part of the ownership group of the Red Sox.

San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean, a graduate of Concord (N.H.) High School, has also been mentioned as a possibility.

Internally, the Red Sox will likely take a look at some of Epstein’s top assistants, including Peter Woodfork, director of baseball operations; Jed Hoyer, assistant to the GM; and Ben Cherington, director of player development.

Edited by amfox1, 31 October 2005 - 05:32 PM.

[jaypatsox]

It's now up on the Herald's website.  It blames Lucky and states that Theo will probably sit out for a year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://redsox.boston...rticleid=109723

[PedroisGod]

Theo's nothing but a greedy diva who's leaving Boston for a couple extra dollars. Let him walk!





See how ridiculous it sounds, now?

[pedros hairstylist]

Boston Herald has it on their website...turned down 3 yr/$1.3 mill/yr job. Leaving because of "intra organizational politics".... and get this, &$%#$ SHAUGHNESSY helped oust Theo...

QUOTE:
"A leading contributing factor, according to sources close to the situation, was a column in Sunday’s Boston Globe in which too much inside information about the relationship between Epstein and his mentor, team president and CEO Larry Lucchino, was revealed -- in a manner slanted too much in Lucchino’s favor."

BostonHerald

Edited by pedros hairstylist, 31 October 2005 - 05:33 PM.

[anaxamandr]

AWFUL NEWS!
Can't wait to get the gory details on how this happened.
Its all over EEI, I thought Ordway was doing a Halloween prank or something at first. Now its horrifyingly real. Silverman reports that Theo just told his bosses that after some soul searching he would not accept the extension because of "intraorganizational issues and power struggles." According to the same article "money was not an issue," but apparently a leak to CHB in the glob was a factor!?!?!
AAARG. This is preposterous.
Welcome to Boston, DePodesta.

[Joe D Reid]

Assuming he's still checking in, I'd welcome a JWH post on the reasoning here if true. It's tough to figure out what more a GM can do in three years than three trips to the post-season and one Green Monster-sized banner.

That said, this report could be erroneous just as easily as the "deal is done" reports of this morning, so let's back away from the tailpipe for a little while.

Edited by Joe D Reid, 31 October 2005 - 05:32 PM.

[Eddie Jurak]

Real good job running the franchise, Mr. Henry. If Theo is really gone, you look no better then the last Red Sox owner who won a World Series with the team.

[Rocco Graziosa]

Just absolutely terrible. They're haggling with the main architect of Boston's first championship in 86 years, over slightly more than the minimum salary of ONE SINGLE PLAYER. He predictably tells them to go screw when he realizes he could possibly be the most sought after GM in the history of the game on the open market. What a joke.

[Robinson Checo]

great, I'm sure Lucky will look at bringing Chuck LaMarr in too.

[JenInMA]

F'in CHB angling for a new curse book, I'm betting. I'm vomitting.

[favreauk]

I keep waiting to get to the bottom of the thread and read that the media has it wrong.

Maybe if I refresh again in 5 minutes?

[67WasBest]

Wow, I'm pissed and I owe most of this board a huge apology for dismissing this as so much silliness. Sorry to all, I was the fool!

Now what, DePdesta coming here? I want Josh Byrnes back!

[Eddie Jurak]

Just absolutely terrible.  They're haggling with the main architect of Boston's first championship in 86 years, over slightly more than the minimum salary of ONE SINGLE PLAYER.  He predictably tells them to go screw when he realizes he could possibly be the most sought after GM in the history of the game on the open market.  What a joke.

Pretty clear it's not a money thing. Nice to see the best thing that happened to Boston baseball since Ted Williams run out of town on a rail, though.

[Angel Santos in Red]

I seriously want a retraction, explanation and apology from Dan Curly-Q. I mean, I was his last defender. He may now have played a hand in the set-back of this organization. Should he sell another book profiting off this mess (or others) he should and will burn in hell. Next to Larry Lucchino.

[yecul]

We'll always have 2004. Every fan should boycott buying tickets until LL is removed from the organization. He is a cancer. Always has been, always will be. This team will sink with him leading things. You think Steinbrenner is bad? Imagine one who won't sign the checks.

Lucciano should be kidnapped and put in a mason jar somewhere. I'm serious.

[SoxFanSince57]

As many of you know, I am not surprised at all.

Good-bye Manny. LL wants you out of town more than you want out of town.

Gee, I guess there was some truth to reports that there was a bit of friction in the Sox FO. NO SH**

[SoxsFans]

AWFUL NEWS!
Can't wait to get the gory details on how this happened.
Its all over EEI, I thought Ordway was doing a Halloween prank or something at first. Now its horrifyingly real. Silverman reports that Theo just told his bosses that after some soul searching he would not accept the extension because of "intraorganizational issues and power struggles." According to the same article "money was not an issue," but apparently a leak to CHB in the glob was a factor!?!?!
AAARG. This is preposterous.
Welcome to Boston, DePodesta.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hate CHB more and more every day!

[SexyBanana]

Time to boycott buying those hiked up tickets.

[yecul]

This isn't and wasn't about money. They money was on the table. This was about Lucciano being a dink and Theo not being able to deal with it.

[templeUsox]

What a dark day in recent Red Sox history.

The fact that this came down to ego and not money makes it even worse.

[Yaz4Ever]

Real good job running the franchise, Mr. Henry.  If Theo is really gone, you look no better then the last Red Sox owner who won a World Series with the team.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow! That's a bit harsh, wouldn't you say?

None of us will ever really know what has gone on in the FO over the past few years. How much of our success was really based on Theo and how many of our failures should be pinned on LL or anyone else.

I'll believe he's walking away when I see him on TV saying it to the cameras (or someone from the FO doing the same). If he does walk away, so be it. I'm sure he'll be replaced by DePodesta or another young whiz kid. If we make it to the playoffs again without Theo (if he has walked away) will the new GM get the credit?

Sorry, guys. I think Theo's good, but he's not a god. If he's gone, I wish him well. If he's still around, I'll applaud the positive things he does and get upset when he screws up. Same old thing. I just think that there are a lot of people on this board looking for a reason to lash out at JWH and LL and I honestly don't get it.

[Paradigm]

i live 2 blocks from the ballpark...per Pete Sheppard, Theo is "cleaning out his office"

I kinda want to go wait outside the ballpark and see if he leaves. this guy is my idol.

[PedroisGod]

Once again. I HATE Larry Lucchino.

So let me get this straight, over the past couple of years you've managed to:

A. Make some great enemies and ruffle some feathers during the A-Rod negotiations.

B. Let Pedro walk.

C. Try long and hard to trade Manny (this will be done by the end of the winter). (see A)

D. Lost Theo.

You're a douchebag of the highest magnitude. Screw you, and rot in hell.

Edited by PedroisGod, 31 October 2005 - 05:40 PM.

[Rocco Graziosa]

Pretty clear it's not a money thing.  Nice to see the best thing that happened to Boston baseball since Ted Williams run out of town on a rail, though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its always about the money. In the end he may have been pissed off at what he percieved as shabby treatment or not enough "power" but had management started negotiations off by at least offering him Chuck Lamar money, there is no way we're here right now.

[jmcc5400]

How is this CHB's fault? He got the leak, he had to report it. That he's a jerk is beside the point. Best of luck, Theo.

- jmcc5400

[templeUsox]

We are going into the FA season without a GM and without a plan. I don't even know what to say.

[bosoxgrl]

Let's see how quick Manny gets traded now. Jesus, this is a dark day...I want to cry.

[5belongstoGeorge]

Who is going to start the Kevin Towers watch now...

Seriously, the best thing that happened to baseball since Teddy Ballgame? Shake yourself or breath into a paper bag or something.

Theo was exceptional and that is undeniable... he is not irreplaceable. What is a bigger worry is that the people that are Theo's bosses, Lucky and Henry, let this happen. THere really was no reason to let it get ugly. That was stupid. It does not speak well of them.

We need to hear from both sides... Theo's tell all is an instant best seller!

[Paradigm]

How is this CHB's fault?  He got the leak, he had to report it.  That he's a jerk is beside the point.  Best of luck, Theo.

- jmcc5400

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i hardly consider the following tripe that he wrote to be "news." this is nothing but drivel - issue-oriented drivel.

"Let's start with Theo being a ''baseball guy" while Larry is a lawyer with a lofty title (CEO). Granted, Epstein is a student of the game, but it's a mistake to say he knows more about baseball than Lucchino or anyone else in the Red Sox baseball operation. Theo is 31 years old and did not play baseball past high school. He spent four years at Yale and three years at law school. That hardly leaves time for much more than rotisserie league scouting. He can read the data and has a horde of trusty, like-minded minions, but we're not talking about a lifetime of beating the bushes and scouting prospects. Lucchino was a good high school baseball player and made it to the NCAA Final Four with Princeton's basketball team. He came to baseball as an executive in 1979, when Theo was 5 years old. That doesn't make him George Digby or Ray Boone, but he's not Les Otten, either."

[philly sox fan]

This kind of thing won't happen when Duquette is gone!

Uh, er, EV for GM?

So in the last year the baseball operations side has lost Esptein, Byrnes and McCracken and only one of them had another job lined up when he left.

The good ship lollypop, it aint.

[BoSoxLady]

JWH was put together with LL by Bud Selig in order to help build a new park. They hardly knew each other, so why would JWH take LL's side in Theo's contract squabble? If it's true Theo quit, it's devastating news. This is a PR nightmare for the Red Sox.

Edit: spelling

Edited by BoSoxLady, 31 October 2005 - 05:48 PM.

[John Dopson]

I would trade Lucky for Theo a million times over. He is worthless. Does anyone have a link to the aforementioned Globe article that allegedly drove Theo away?

[Eddie Jurak]

Wow!  That's a bit harsh, wouldn't you say?

Nope. I was a big fan of Henry right up until the door closed behind Theo's ass. Absolutely inexcusable to let this happen. I would not be surprised to see Manny dumped in an unfavorable deal for the Sox, while the team goes into a post-1999 Dan Duquette era meltdown.

Henry's in it for the cash. Maybe he was in it for more than that before winning the World Series, but not anymore.

[pedro1918]

This is not good.

WTF is going on?