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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Oct 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) walks on the field during work out day prior to the start of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) walks on the field during work out day prior to the start of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Epstein brings Francona to Boston, Maddon to Chicago

Probably Theo Epstein’s most glorious maneuvers came in the coaching department. Even though Boston didn’t hate the work of Grady Little, Epstein released him anyway. When Epstein found a full-time job in Chicago, the Cubs kept recycling their options at manager, so Epstein got tired of that and let Mike Quade, Dale Sveum and Rick Renteria go. With these two moves, Epstein wasted little time in repairing the clubhouse. The math was simple: if he wanted a championship, then he’ll start by dumping managers.

First victim: Little. Sure, Little was praised by Red Sox President Larry Lucchino. All things have to come to an end, unfortunately. It was a coaching decision in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS between the New York Yankees that sealed Little’s fate. That decision concerned the use of Red Sox P Pedro Martinez, who was commanded by Little to stay on the mound in the eighth inning. Needless to say, that inning was more friendly towards the Yankees as they scored three runs to Boston’s one.

To improve the reputation of baseball in Boston, Epstein went ahead with Terry Francona in 2004. Spending three years as the Philadelphia Phillies manager (1997-2000), Francona wasn’t the answer for the Red Sox at first. During his time in Philly, Francona’s highest win total was 77 (1999). It turns out, though, that all he needed was a four-year hiatus to get his bearings straight. So, in 2004, Francona auditioned for another skipper position, this time with the Boston Red Sox. Under Francona, Boston won two World Series titles (2004, 2007).

Second round of victims: Quade, Sveum and Renteria. Not much debate really comes out of Epstein’s decision to relieve all three of these men of their managerial duties. During their 2011 season, the Cubs won only 71 games, while finishing 25 games behind the NL Central leaders under Mike Quade. Epstein would then sort through the bad excuses known as Sveum (2012-13) and Renteria (2014), before settling on Joe Maddon.

Simply put, the chemistry between Epstein and Maddon is exquisite. Since Maddon became manager in 2015, the Cubs have made it to the postseason twice, winning the World Series once. While it’s nothing short of a coincidence that both Francona and Maddon were hired by Epstein, it goes without saying that both turned out very well.

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