Crash Course
12-16-2004, 02:01 PM
Over the last few days, I've seen comments of "In Theo We Trust" all over the place on the 'net. Over at ESPN.com, there's something out now that reads (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=1946756):
For now, the unofficial motto of Red Sox Nation is: In Theo We Trust.
It's easy to guess that the promotion to God-like status for Theo is tied to the fact that he's the G.M. of the Sox who finally ended the 86 year old Curse of the Bambino. (By the way, did someone warn Billy Beane that there's a new front office deity in town that he'll have to make room for in G.M. Valhalla?)
Recently, I saw a stat on Theo and the 2004 Sox - and, sadly, I cannot remember the exact number. It was something like "60% of the members of the 2004 World Champion Bosox were acquired by Theo Epstein." (If anyone knows the exact number, please let me know.)
Now, that's great. Maybe only 9 or 10 guys were not brought in by Theo. But, my point is "Which guys?"
Working off memory - so there's a good chance that I'm wrong - I would say that "those guys" are Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe, Trot Nixon, Tim Wakefield and, part of Nomar Garciaparra. (And, I'm probably missing someone else.)
Does anyone think that the 2004 Sox would have won the World Series without Pedro, Manny, Tek, Lowe, Nixon, Wakefield and Nomar this year? (Again, in the case of Nomar, for part of the year.) Are not these players the cadre of the 2004 Sox?
Yes, Schilling and Ortiz were huge parts of the team this year too. And, Theo did bring them in. But, you didn't have to be a genius to get Schilling. (And, FWIW, I believe the Sox wanted Vazquez instead of Schilling and Curt was Plan B.)
Perhaps it's too early to say "In Theo We Trust"? Let's see how the team does in 2005 and then judge him. It will be an interesting event to see unfold. The 2005 Sox will be more of Theo's team than the 2004 Sox.
Maybe Theo should keep the rock band gig on a burner just in case?
For now, the unofficial motto of Red Sox Nation is: In Theo We Trust.
It's easy to guess that the promotion to God-like status for Theo is tied to the fact that he's the G.M. of the Sox who finally ended the 86 year old Curse of the Bambino. (By the way, did someone warn Billy Beane that there's a new front office deity in town that he'll have to make room for in G.M. Valhalla?)
Recently, I saw a stat on Theo and the 2004 Sox - and, sadly, I cannot remember the exact number. It was something like "60% of the members of the 2004 World Champion Bosox were acquired by Theo Epstein." (If anyone knows the exact number, please let me know.)
Now, that's great. Maybe only 9 or 10 guys were not brought in by Theo. But, my point is "Which guys?"
Working off memory - so there's a good chance that I'm wrong - I would say that "those guys" are Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe, Trot Nixon, Tim Wakefield and, part of Nomar Garciaparra. (And, I'm probably missing someone else.)
Does anyone think that the 2004 Sox would have won the World Series without Pedro, Manny, Tek, Lowe, Nixon, Wakefield and Nomar this year? (Again, in the case of Nomar, for part of the year.) Are not these players the cadre of the 2004 Sox?
Yes, Schilling and Ortiz were huge parts of the team this year too. And, Theo did bring them in. But, you didn't have to be a genius to get Schilling. (And, FWIW, I believe the Sox wanted Vazquez instead of Schilling and Curt was Plan B.)
Perhaps it's too early to say "In Theo We Trust"? Let's see how the team does in 2005 and then judge him. It will be an interesting event to see unfold. The 2005 Sox will be more of Theo's team than the 2004 Sox.
Maybe Theo should keep the rock band gig on a burner just in case?