 |
|
This fall brought an end to the Red Sox regime of Manager Terry Francona and General Manager Theo Epstein. On September 30, 2011, the Red Sox announced they would not pick up the team option on Francona’s contract. On October 25, 2011, the Chicago Cubs announced Epstein as their new team President of Baseball Operations.
Epstein was introduced as the Red Sox General Manager in the winter of 2002. At that time, he was the youngest GM in the game at the ripe age of 28. Epstein is big believer in what is known as sabermetrics, or statistical analysis of baseball players.
Francona came to Boston just before the 2004 season. He had been a failed manager in previous seasons from his days with the Philadelphia Phillies where he never scored at least a .500 season.
Altogether, these two won 744 games together and two World Series titles, ultimately breaking the “Curse of the Bambino” in 2004.
Unfortunately for them, baseball is in a “what have you done for me lately” society. In the last two seasons, the Red Sox failed to make the playoffs. Even more devastating was the incredible withdrawal of a 9.5 game lead at the beginning of September to the eventual Wild Card winner Tampa Bay Rays.
While the fate of Epstein has been resolved in saving another franchise from a curse, Francona has yet to find a job for next year. There are options for Francona including those beyond managing in the dugout.
During the ALCS, he commentated on the game alongside Joe Buck for Fox Sports. In my opinion, managers and coaches give better perspective about the game than former players and Francona didn’t disappoint.
While good jobs for Francona still exist, including coming together again with Epstein in Chicago, there’s no doubt in my mind he will land on his feet. I personally will never forget the history these two made together.
blog comments powered by Disqus
