Fansided

5 reasons Theo Epstein’s the greatest GM in sports history

By Carly Regehr

June 15, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
June 15, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Restructuring Boston: Major signings under Theo Epstein

Before the Theo Epstein era started in Boston, the Red Sox were fairly quiet in the postseason. In the decade from 1994-2004, the Red Sox witnessed only four postseason appearances (1995, 1998, 1999, 2003). In the first three instances, Boston was made a fool of, recording a postseason record of 2-10. That alone doesn’t instill a whole lot of confidence in a team that averaged more than 80 wins per season during those four postseason trips.

Thankfully, Theo Epstein swooped into town like Superman. After all, a moment of singularity pushed the Red Sox to trash then-manager Grady Little. And that was one of the first items on Epstein’s to-do list. Regardless of the Red Sox winning 93 games in 2002 and 95 games in 2003, they’d be shocked by their American League rivals, the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Just as things got underway in 2004, Epstein would make his second move — an on-the-field personnel change that meant getting rid of SS Nomar Garciaparra in order to make room for Orlando Cabrera. As a first-year member of the Red Sox, Cabrera would conclude his season with a .294 average, in addition to a .465 slugging percentage. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for Epstein acquisitions.

The Boston Red Sox would also welcome in a transfer from the Minnesota Twins, DH David Ortiz. After spending a few years in Minnesota, Ortiz joined forces with Manny Ramirez and Epstein-purchased 1B Kevin Millar. Those three ball players would become key cogs for the team that’d win the 2004 World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.

Other notable additions to Epstein’s squad included Dustin Pedroia (2006) and CF Jacoby Ellsbury (2007). Pedroia wouldn’t have a decent year until 2008 (17 HR, 83 RBI, .326 BA), where he finished first place in the MVP voting. Ellsbury, on the other hand, would record a .353 batting average and three home runs in 127 plate appearances in 2007.

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