[ad_1]
The Boston Red Sox just made their most notable acquisition of the offseason. And no, he is not a player.
Fenway Sports Group, the holding company led by Red Sox owner John Henry, Tom Werner, Sam Kennedy and Mike Gordon, announced Friday that Theo Epstein has joined your group and will act as senior advisor.
The new role represents a homecoming for Epstein, who served as general manager of the Red Sox from 2002 to 2011 and helped the franchise end its 86-year championship drought by winning World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. Epstein then spent a decade as the Chicago Cubs. ‘ president of baseball operations, rebuilding the club into a contender that won the 2016 World Series to end a 108-year title drought.
Epstein had been working for Major League Baseball as a consultant with a focus on improving the game and played a role in MLB instituting the pitch clock as well as other pace-of-play rule changes. FSG announced Friday that Epstein will continue that role “informally” and “will advise FSG owners John Henry, Tom Werner, Mike Gordon and Sam Kennedy on the company’s sports operations across the portfolio and consult on growth.” strategic and investment initiatives”. “
“It’s a great honor, something I’m very excited about,” Epstein said. Sportico said in a video call. “It is simply exciting to join such a dynamic and innovative company across multiple sports, doing so many innovative things at the forefront of everything happening in sports today. “For me it’s perfect, I was looking for a path to ownership.”
Epstein added that he will not play any role in personnel decisions and will be “the one asking the questions” rather than “the one making the decisions.” It appears the 50-year-old’s focus won’t be limited to the Red Sox either, as FSG also owns the Premier League’s Liverpool FC, the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and RFK Racing, in addition to several other business ventures.
“With his strategic mind, leadership and unwavering passion for sports, Theo brings invaluable assets that will propel us forward in our various businesses, especially our sports operations in hockey, EPL football and baseball,” Henry said in a statement. .
Even if Epstein doesn’t play a hands-on role with the Red Sox, his return will likely be a welcome sight for Boston fans frustrated by another quiet offseason. New general manager Craig Breslow has only made two notable moves so far: signing Lucas Giolito to a two-year, $38.5 million contract and trading Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Vaughn Grissom , and the Red Sox appear destined for their third consecutive last-place finish in the American League East.
That reality has led some to wonder if Henry and company will sell the team, but Epstein’s addition to ownership is an interesting plot twist.