It's Friday Happy Hour ...

... And Love is in the Air as Cupid Came Early to Yawkey Way

Theo Reaction Roundup
Wilbur: Feel-Good Fiasco

2006 NESN Red Sox Schedule with Game Times

Gentlemen: Does Bronson Know That the
Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame is in Cleveland?

Hey Theo, Get Coco.
Sox Still Making Crisp Effort

"Also yesterday, there were ongoing conversations between the Sox and Indians aimed at bringing outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston. The deal, according to a major league source, probably would cost the Sox top prospect Andy Marte and probably would include multiple players changing sides." -- 1.20.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe

The Theo Saga: A Timeline | What Should His New Role Be?


Theo's To-Do List

Olney: Political Power Struggle

"After all, it was Henry who said in November that Epstein would not be returning to the Red Sox, and then indicated last Saturday that Theo was not part of the organization, which must have been a big surprise to those who had actually talked to Epstein on the phone since the New Year while under the impression that he spoke for the Red Sox.

"What we do know is that this entire episode has been much less complicated than portrayed. Forget all the heart-wrenching stories about needing life outside of baseball and the love of privacy, and ignore all the posturing that has come out of many corners of Fenway Park (Many within the Red Sox hierarchy are Democrats -- and for the purpose of full disclosure, I lean left myself -- and they are in no position to complain about the White House spin machine now, considering how much whirling they've done since Oct. 31).

"This has been a good ol' fashioned power struggle between two extraordinary politicians, nothing more, nothing less." -- 01.20.06, Buster Olney, ESPN Insider blog (by subscription)

"This is like celebrating the return of stolen money."
-- 1.19.06, Bob Lobel, CBS-4 Sports Director

Shaughnessy: Questions Still Linger

"Unfortunately, there wasn't much honor or glory in Theo's comportment after he left Fenway in that gorilla suit Oct. 31. Rather, he undermined the credibility of the entire Boston front office by straddling the fence regarding his place in the organization. He repeatedly refused offers to return, but would not rule out coming back. He revealed himself to be every bit the cutthroat politician Lucchino is. He's been at best, immature and at worst, duplicitous."

"Like a character from Camelot, Theo remained forever young, forever brilliant, forever the man who brought a championship to Boston. And as long as he operated in the shadows, or allowed us to believe he was still involved, he couldn't lose. This dynamic made Theo less than popular with some of his hard-working friends in baseball operations." -- 1.20.06, Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

Snow: Theo's Issues,
John Henry's Comments

"Principal owner John W. Henry, in an interview with the Globe Thursday prior to the team's formal announcement, said Epstein was ''not going to come back in a higher position" than he held before. That would seem to suggest that none of president/CEO Larry Lucchino's power would be usurped in the process of Epstein's reemergence."

"A team source close to those negotiations revealed in early November that just before resigning, Epstein examined several issues, foremost among them whether his trust in Lucchino was well placed. There also appeared to exist a divide in philosophies -- Epstein's desire to somewhat retool the club around pitching and defense and younger players even if public scrutiny was harsh, juxtaposed against upper management/ownership's apparent resolve to spend on older, established players." -- 1.20.06, Chris Snow, Boston Globe