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Theo Epstein

Theo Nathaniel Epstein (born December 29, 1973) is an American Major League Baseball executive who is, since 2024, the senior adviser and part-owner of Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball and Liverpool FC of the English Premier League, among other properties.

Theo Epstein
Epstein in September 2010
Born (1973-12-29) December 29, 1973 (age 50)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materYale University (B.A.)
University of San Diego (J.D.)
OccupationBaseball executive
Spouse
Marie Whitney
​
(m. 2007)​
Children2
Parent(s)Leslie Epstein (father)
Ilene Gradman (mother)
RelativesPhilip G. Epstein (grandfather)
Julius J. Epstein (great-uncle)
Baseball career
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Epstein helped to end two of the longest World Series droughts in MLB history.[1] In 2004, when he was vice president and general manager for the Red Sox, the team won their first World Series championship in 86 years. His next job was president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, who in 2016 won their first World Series championship in 108 years. After his tenure in Chicago, he joined MLB as a consultant.[2]

Early life

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Epstein was born to a secular Jewish family in New York City and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts.[3][4][5] He graduated from Brookline High School in 1991,[6] where he played baseball for the Brookline High School Warriors, but dreamed of working for the Red Sox.

Epstein attended Yale University, where he lived at Jonathan Edwards College. He served as sports editor of the Yale Daily News. He graduated in 1995 with a degree in American Studies. During his time as an undergraduate, he wrote letters to several teams expressing interest in working for them. His letter to the Baltimore Orioles reached team executive Calvin Hill, a Yale alumnus and head of personnel, who invited him for an interview. Epstein interned for three consecutive summers for the Orioles.[7] Eventually he was hired as the public relations assistant for the Orioles.

Career

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San Diego Padres

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Epstein then moved with Larry Lucchino to the San Diego Padres as director of player development. While working for the Padres, he also studied at the University of San Diego School of Law and earned a Juris Doctor degree at Lucchino's suggestion.[8] Epstein based his class selection on which professors seemed to be the most lenient with attendance policies given the Padres' often-late work hours. By studying law Epstein was invited to take part in high-level negotiations and discussions by then-GM Kevin Towers since few in the Padres' small operations division had a legal background to understand contract language.[7] He worked his way up to become the team's director of baseball operations.[9]

Boston Red Sox

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Epstein at the 2007 World Series victory parade

After leaving the position as the Padres' President, Lucchino became president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Red Sox on November 15, 2001[10] and hired Epstein to work under him. At the end of the 2002 season, Lucchino appointed Epstein to replace interim general manager (GM) Mike Port. Epstein is credited with trading away Nomar Garciaparra and acquiring Bill Mueller and Curt Schilling,[9] moves that helped break the "Curse of the Bambino" when the Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series, their first championship since 1918.[11]

On October 31, 2005, he 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." As it was Halloween the night he resigned from the Red Sox, he left Fenway Park wearing a gorilla suit in an attempt to avoid reporters.[12] 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 the Foundation to be Named Later (FTBNL).[13]

Epstein remained in contact with the team's front office and in January 2006, he and Red Sox management announced he would return, resuming the role of general manager and adding the title of executive vice president.[14] The Red Sox went on to win the 2007 World Series, Epstein's second championship with Boston.[15] In November 2007, 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.[16]

Chicago Cubs

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Epstein talks to reporters before the 2016 NLCS Game 6

On October 12, 2011, Epstein agreed to a five-year contract worth $18.5 million with the Chicago Cubs.[17] On October 19, 2011, it was reported that Epstein's official title with the Cubs would be president and that San Diego Padres general manager Jed Hoyer would take the GM position with the Cubs.[18]

On October 23, 2011, he took out a full-page ad in The Boston Globe, thanking Red Sox fans and the team's owners for their support.[19] Two days later, the Cubs officially introduced Epstein as president of baseball operations.[20] The Cubs finished in last place in the National League Central for the first three years of Epstein's presidency, as the focus was to acquire young talent rather than maximize short-term competitiveness.[21] After a three-year rebuild, the Cubs clinched a playoff berth in 2015 and advanced to the National League Championship Series, where they were swept by the New York Mets.[22]

Epstein signed an extension with the club on September 28, 2016, with a contract estimated to be worth up to $25 million.[23] The Cubs would proceed to break the so-called "Curse of the Billy Goat" by defeating Cleveland Indians in the 2016 World Series, their first championship since 1908.[24]

Epstein stepped down from his role on the Cubs on November 20, 2020. Jed Hoyer, Epstein's long-time deputy, took over his position.[25]

MLB consultant and private equity

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In January 2021, MLB hired Epstein as a consultant for "on-field matters".[2] Later that year, he joined private equity firm Arctos Sports Partners.[26]

Return to Fenway Sports Group

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On February 2, 2024, Fenway Sports Group announced that Epstein would return to the company as a senior adviser, while also joining its ownership group pending MLB approval.[27]

Personal life

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Epstein has a twin brother, Paul, who is a social worker at Brookline High School in Brookline, Massachusetts. He and Paul are co-founders of "The Foundation to be Named Later", established in 2005.[13]

Epstein's grandfather, Philip G. Epstein, and great-uncle, Julius J. Epstein – with Howard E. Koch – won Academy Awards for the screenplay of Casablanca,[13] while his father, novelist Leslie Epstein, heads the Creative Writing Program at Boston University.[28] His mother, Ilene (Gradman), opened a clothing store.[29] Epstein's sister, Anya, is a screenwriter and television producer (Homicide: Life on the Street and Tell Me You Love Me).[30]

In 2007, Epstein married Marie Whitney, a Catholic and the founder/creative director of Two Penny Blue.[31][32] The couple have two sons.[33] Boston Globe sportswriter Gordon Edes reported that the wedding took place at Nathan's Famous hot dog stand at Coney Island, then 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 were never released, but the Boston Herald later reported that the wedding took place on Red Sox owner John Henry's yacht in Saint Thomas.[34][35]

Charity

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Epstein's "Hot Stove Cool Music" are biannual Boston and Chicago benefit concerts that have raised millions of dollars for the "disadvantaged youth and families" of the respective cities. Before the 2015 event, Epstein said, "We've collectively raised more than $6 million and look forward to increasing that total this year through another great night of music, baseball and giving back."[36]

Honors and awards

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As a front office executive, Epstein is a three-time World Series champion, winning twice with the Red Sox (2004 and 2007) and once with the Cubs (2016). In 2007, the United States Sports Academy named Epstein the recipient of its "Carl Maddox Sport Management Award".[citation needed]

In December 2008, Baseball America named Epstein its Baseball America Major League Executive of the Year.[37]

In March 2009, the book Theo-logy: How a Boy Wonder Led the Red Sox to the Promised Land was published.[citation needed]

In September 2009, Epstein was named Sporting News Executive of the Decade.[38] At the same time, the Red Sox were named Sporting News Team of the Decade. In December, Sports Illustrated named him MLB's Best General Manager of the Decade and number 3 on its list of the Top 10 GMs/Executives of the Decade (in all sports).[39]

In November 2016, Epstein was named the Sporting News Executive of the Year.[40] Also in November, Epstein won the Esurance MLB Award for Best Executive.[41]

In March 2017, Epstein was announced as Yale's Class Day Speaker.[42] Fortune Magazine also ranked Epstein #1 in their 2017 list of the "World's Greatest Leaders".[43]

In April 2017, Time Magazine named Epstein one of the world's 100 most influential people.[44]

References

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  1. ^ "With Red Sox, Cubs, Theo Epstein ends 2 longest World Series droughts, becomes sure Hall of Famer". 3 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b Rogers, Jesse (January 14, 2021). "MLB hires former Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein as consultant to 'on-field matters'". Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  3. ^ Foer, Franklin; Tracy, Marc (2012-10-30), Jewish Jocks: An Unorthodox Hall of Fame, Grand Central, ISBN 9781455516117
  4. ^ Sheila Barth,Jewish Journal: "The Epstein Family: True Team Players" Archived 2017-11-07 at the Wayback Machine, boston.forward.com, June 18, 2014.
  5. ^ Gabe Friedman, "Theo Epstein vs. Mike Chernoff: The Jewish brains behind the Cubs and the Indians" Archived 2019-06-13 at the Wayback Machine, timesofisrael.com, October 28, 2016.
  6. ^ Beggy, Carol; Shanahan, Mark (November 6, 2003). "Monet goes to Vegas; Kerry goes out on the town". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2008.
  7. ^ a b Nathan Fox, "Prospectus Q&A: Theo Epstein, Part I" Archived 2016-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, baseballprospectus.com, February 9, 2004.
  8. ^ Gopisetty, Smita, "For Epstein ’95, a dream fulfilled at 28", Yale Daily News, December 11, 2002.
  9. ^ a b Hohler, Bob, "Epstein was an old pro" Archived 2016-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, boston.com/NESN, October 29, 2004.
  10. ^ Shaughnessy, Dan, "Red Sox CEO Lucchino to leave at season’s end" Archived 2016-07-26 at the Wayback Machine, Boston Globe, August 2, 2015. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  11. ^ "TBT: The Curse of the Bambino Is Broken". Boston Magazine. October 26, 2017. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  12. ^ Snyder, Matt (October 31, 2014). "Happy Anniversary: Theo Epstein resigns, wears gorilla suit". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "FTBNL: Theo Epstein: Paul Epstein: Founders". Foundation To Be Named Later. Archived from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  14. ^ Kepner, Tyler (January 20, 2006). "After 80 Days, Red Sox Return Epstein to Full-Time Role". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Kepner, Tyler (October 29, 2007). "Red Sox Sweep World Series Again". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  16. ^ "Epstein says he, Red Sox agreed to new deal 'few weeks ago'". ESPN.go.com. November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on March 20, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  17. ^ Olney, Buster; Gordon Edes (October 12, 2011). "Theo Epstein, Cubs agree". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  18. ^ "Sources: Jed Hoyer, To Join Cubs as GM". Sports Illustrated. October 20, 2011. Archived from the original on October 23, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  19. ^ Jackson, Scott. "Epstein classy on the way out". Bleacher Bum Sports. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
  20. ^ "Cubs introduce Theo Epstein". espnchicago.com. ESPN. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  21. ^ "Tom Ricketts Recalls Why He Hired Theo Epstein Originally: 'Living Year To Year Wasn't Going To Change The Prospects'". CBS Chicago. September 29, 2016. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  22. ^ "Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs clinch first MLB playoff berth since 2008". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  23. ^ Gonzales, Mark (September 28, 2016). "Cubs give Theo Epstein a five-year extension". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  24. ^ Phillips, Steve (November 4, 2016). "Epstein proves to be the ultimate curse-buster". TSN.ca. TSN. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  25. ^ "'Incredibly grateful' Epstein steps down". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
  26. ^ Diamond, Jared (February 2021). "Theo Epstein Joins Private-Equity Firm That is Buying Stakes in Teams". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  27. ^ "Theo Epstein appointed senior advisor of Fenway Sports Group". MLB.com. February 2, 2024. Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  28. ^ Brotman, Barbara (November 7, 2011). "The Natural: Baseball remains a literary hit in Theo Epstein's family". chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  29. ^ "Ilene Epstein - Jewish Women's Archive". jwa.org.
  30. ^ "Dinner & Discussion On The Film & TV Industries". columbia.edu. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  31. ^ "This day in Jewish history/Red Sox manager who removed 'curse of the Bambino' moves on" Archived 2014-09-14 at the Wayback Machine, haaretz.com, October 21, 2013.
  32. ^ "About Us". Two Penny Blue. Archived from the original on 2015-02-06.
  33. ^ "Founders – Foundation To Be Named Later: FTBNL: Theo Epstein: Paul Epstein". Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  34. ^ Edes, Gordon (January 31, 2007). "Hitch was in his plan: Epstein took a wife, left media in dark". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 17, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2007.
  35. ^ Edes, Gordon (January 31, 2007). "A frank explanation". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2007.
  36. ^ Bloom, Barry M. "Theo Epstein's Hot Stove Cool Music Heats Up With Special Guest "Headliner To Be Named Later" at Wrigleyville's Metro July 9". mlb.com/news. MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  37. ^ Speier, Alex (December 22, 2008). "Setting Up Success: Epstein is our Major League Exec of the Year". Baseball America. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  38. ^ Stone, Larry, "Ichiro on Sporting News All-Decade team. Who is the Player of the Decade?" Archived 2009-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, The Seattle Times, September 24, 2009. The Seattle Times Co. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  39. ^ The list's only other MLB GMs were Seattle and Philadelphia's Pat Gillick (No. 7) and Oakland's Billy Beane (No. 10). Friedman, Dick (December 22, 2009). "2000s: Top 10 GMs/Executives". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  40. ^ "Cubs curse-killer Epstein voted top MLB executive". Yahoo! Sports. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  41. ^ Footer, Alyson (2016-01-20). "Esurance MLB Awards announced | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-19. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  42. ^ "Theo Epstein '95 to speak at Class Day". Archived from the original on 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  43. ^ "Theo Epstein". March 23, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017.
  44. ^ "Theo Epstein: The World's 100 Most Influential People". Time. Archived from the original on 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2017-04-20.

Further reading

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  • Ruttman, Larry (2013). "Theo Epstein: The Youngest General Manager in Major League Baseball History". American Jews and America's Game: Voices of a Growing Legacy in Baseball. Lincoln, Nebraska and London, England: University of Nebraska Press. pp. 403–409. ISBN 978-0-8032-6475-5.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by
Mike Port
(internim general manager)
 General Manager for the Boston Red Sox
2002 – 2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by President of Baseball Operations
for the Chicago Cubs
2011 – 2020 		Succeeded by
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