The Bartman Chronicles

Those of us here in Boston cringed a little when our former GM offered an 'olive branch' to that Bartman moron who screwed his team out of a legitimate chance at a title in 2003.

This is the weird side of Theo—the unctuous political correctness (not uncommon in Brookline, Mass.) that looks for "healing" in the most inappropriate areas. Better to have just ignored the question, or called it a non-factor in the job ahead—bringing a world championship to the Cubs after 103 years. Get used to this aspect of Theo's personality, Chicago.

'Every Opportunity To Win Is Sacred'

As Red Sox fans have painfully learned over the last four years, chances at championships do not grow on trees. At Theo Epstein's introductory press conference in Chicago, he used this theme to set out his vision for leading the Chicago Cubs out of their 103 year drought. "Every opportunity to win is sacred."

He was also careful to leaven that desire to win every year with the realistic need to plan for the future. As he put it, "We also need to build a foundation for long-term success." That's what he did in Boston—leaving a "player-development" machine for Ben Cherington to nurture. That's likely what he will deliver for Cubs fans as well.

Whether that results in breaking the curse is another matter. It will be fun to watch.

Watching Theo From Afar

Put me down as one of those Red Sox fans who believes this is a sad day for our franchise. Theo Epstein was the only local Boston presence in the upper management of the Red Sox over the last decade, and now that presence is gone. This blog will attempt to follow Theo's attempt to break a second curse—this time with the benighted Chicago Cubs. We hope you'll follow along with us to see if Theo can pull it off again.