For an executive to be considered a no doubt Hall of Famer, they would have to do something truly spectacular. Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has made himself such an executive.
If ever there was a way to guarantee enshrinement into the MLB Hall of Fame prior to 2004, it would have involved winning a World Series with the Boston Red Sox and bringing the Chicago Cubs back to the Series. It would take someone who worked enough miracles where the Pope would have to consider the person for sainthood. After all, these were the most cursed franchises in the game.
Then, along came Theo Epstein. In just his second year as the Red Sox general manager, he won the World Series. It took a highly controversial trade, moving fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra in a four team swap to acquire Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera, as well as the shrewd signings of Keith Foulke and Curt Schilling, but Epstein proved he would make those tough calls. Then, three years later, the Red Sox won another title, again with Epstein at the helm.
After clashes with other members of the front office, Epstein left, joining the Chicago Cubs as their President of Baseball Operations. With protege Jed Hoyer as his General Manager, Epstein set about the process of getting the Cubs back to respectability. The progress they made, and the impressive youth they put together, proved that the future would be bright in Wrigley.
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And now, it has all come together. The Cubs finished the 2016 season with the best record in baseball, breezing through the National League en route to the postseason. Then, last night, the Cubs were able to stare down some of the ghosts of the past, defeating the Dodgers in six games as they are heading to the World Series for the first time in 71 years.
At this point, what else is there for Epstein to prove? He has already won a championship with the Red Sox. He has helped guide the Cubs to the World Series. All that is left is for the Cubs to actually hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy and his career would be complete.
Even if the Cubs fall to the Indians, Epstein has punched his ticket for Cooperstown. He has done the impossible, breaking the Curse of the Bambino and then the Curse of the Billy Goat. His teams have stared down the demons of the past, overcoming the doubts as they reached heights few could imagine. Generations of families, who were united in their love of their teams, have been able to witness a level of success that was unthought of even a year or two previously.
The Chicago Cubs are in the World Series. After bringing the Cubs to the Promised Land, after guiding the Red Sox to a title, Theo Epstein’s next stop should be in Cooperstown.