Boston’s Troubles Turn Epstein Into Ex-Golden Boy
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By GEORGE VECSEY
The New York Times
August 21, 2006
Boston - setting was virtually Kremlinesque, with members of the Politburo and the generals lined up in the front row of the otherwise empty stands last night for the annual Red Sox organizational photo, long before the gates opened at Fenway Park.
This being the democratic bastion of the Red Sox’ universe, however, the proletariat and the yakkers on sports-talk radio were openly screaming for change. If Boston fans had their way, some players and some in management would be airbrushed right out of history, the way old Soviet officials were.
This is not a happy time for the Red Sox, who were grimly trying to defeat the Yankees last night after three brutal losses in two days. Taking the brunt of the criticism was the former boy wonder Theo Epstein, now a grizzled old general manager of 32 who was being whacked on the airwaves.
Life was momentarily calm in Fenway before the game; the team posed in front of the fabled left-field wall, with its many recent dents from balls hit by the Yankees. The players then sat amid organization members near the dugout: good old Johnny Pesky in the middle, the top brass front and center, with Epstein between David Ortiz, the only player in the front row, and Manager Terry Francona.
Then, of his own volition, Epstein presented himself to members of the news media. Back in 2004, when he hoisted a glass to celebrate the World Series championship — somebody should have carded him, just for laughs — Epstein knew there would be times like this.
“I grew up around here,” Epstein reminded the horde of press that has been pillorying him for the players he let get away and for those he did not acquire.
“There’s less room for error this year,” he conceded.
The Red Sox are being blasted for not bringing back Johnny Damon this year and Pedro Martínez last year, for bringing in Coco Crisp to replace Damon, for trading Bronson Arroyo for Wily Mo Peña on March 20, and for the procession of inadequate arms in recent weeks.
“We are our toughest critics,” Epstein said, not going into great detail about any of the moves. In the spring, he did second-guess himself for the revolving door at shortstop in recent years, but right now he is letting everybody else think out loud for him.
•Epstein said he had no inclination to push a button on his car radio and hear Sammy from Somerville roast him. “I learned that a long time ago,” he said about hearing no evil. Although many players and managers insist that they never read a newspaper, Epstein said he looked at the papers — for information, presumably, not necessarily advice.
This is not the first crisis for Epstein in his short career. Last October, after a conflict with the Red Sox’ chief executive, Larry Lucchino, Epstein resigned as general manager and left Fenway wearing a gorilla suit to avoid reporters (it was, after all, Halloween). Twelve weeks later, he rejoined the Politburo, and that disruption might have hurt the Red Sox more than they have acknowledged.
While facing heavy criticism for the first time in his career, Epstein has managed to find time to get engaged, which he celebrated Saturday night on a cruise of Boston Harbor with other members of the Red Sox leadership. Epstein did not share any details of the cruise — “That’s private,” he said — but clearly a few hours on the salty seas brought everybody together.
Last night, Epstein and Lucchino used almost the same phrase in discussing the Red Sox’ philosophy. “One eye on now, one eye on the future,” Epstein said.
In a separate chat with reporters, Lucchino said, “That’s the sensible way to run a franchise.”
Epstein brought up the reality of trying to compete in the same division with the Yankees. “We have great resources, but not that much,” he said, comparing the Red Sox with the Yankees.
“They also produce young players who make no money,” he added, praising the work of his Yankees counterpart, Brian Cashman.
•Epstein said his goal was to produce an “über-team,” which he defined as “a code for a team with no weaknesses,” with superior players at every position and capable backups. He said he thought the 2004 Red Sox approached being such a team, but that right now the Yankees had the edge.
“That’s life in the A.L. East,” Epstein said. “That’s life in the A.L. in general.” Then he added, “You are what your record is.”
Since he became general manager in November 2002, Epstein has won one more World Series title than the traditional über-team of the American League. But this being Boston, some zealots are already looking to wield an airbrush to organizational photos taken only hours ago. |
