Chicago Sports Figure Of The Year: Theo Epstein
Dec 22, 2014; Evanston, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein watches a game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Illinois-Chicago Flames during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Northwestern Wildcats defeated the Illinois-Chicago Flames 63-46. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Since taking control of the Chicago Cubs front office after the 2011 season, Theo Epstein has preached patience. Patience as Epstein and his cronies tear down the foundation of the Cubs’ baseball department and start anew. It is a process that has taken nearly three years and the full completion may still be two years away. But, as 2014 ends, there is no doubt that Epstein is the Chicago Sports Figure of the Year.
At the end of the 2014 calendar year, Da Windy City staff got together and voted on the Chicago Sports Figure of the Year. There were several figures that received votes including Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, Chicago Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews and Bulls’ center Joakim Noah. However, at the end of the nominations, there was one figure that was mentioned by every Da Windy City staff writer. That nominee and winner of Da Windy City’s Chicago Sports Figure of the Year is Chicago Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein.
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It was at a Starbuck during the fall of 2011 that the love that Cubs’ fans have for Theo Epstein began. Epstein was spotted at a Chicago-area Starbucks in fall of 2011 when it was rumored that the Cubs were pursuing the Red Sox general manager to run their baseball department. Shortly after being sighted at Starbucks, Epstein was hired as the President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs.
That would be when the fun began for Epstein and the Cubs.
Among Epstein’s first moves was gutting the team’s front office and renovating the team’s baseball department. Jed Hoyer was brought in from San Diego to be the team’s general manager and Jason McCleod came along for the ride as well.
In the next three years, Epstein and the Cubs’ front office tore down the Cubs’ minor league system and re-built as one of the best farm systems in baseball. Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, relief pitcher Pedro Strop, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Javier Baez, third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Addison Russell, and outfielder Jorge Soler are among the talented prospects that the Cubs have either drafted or acquired under Epstein.
All of those players with the exception of Russell and Bryant are expected to be on the Cubs’ 2015 Opening Day Roster. Bryant is expected to join the Major League team by May, while Russell could be a September call-up for the Cubs.
With a majority of their core players and prospects expected to be on the Major League Roster in 2015, the expectation at the end of the 2014 season was that the Cubs would be contending in 2015. After avoiding the “contention” word since their arrival, Epstein and company were ready to shift the focus from the Minor Leagues to the Major Leagues.
The shift in focus came in grand fashion for the Cubs.
The first move the Cubs made this off-season was hire Joe Maddon to be the team’s new manager. Maddon is regarded as one of the top manager’s in baseball and is excellent at working with young players.
After their hire of Maddon, the Cubs turned their attention to the Major League roster. The Cubs had a few minor acquisitions leading up to the Winter Meetings in December, specifically the acquisition of Atlanta Braves second baseman Tommy La Stella, but it was at the Winter Meetings that the sleeping giant that was the Cubs awoke.
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At the Winter Meetings, the first move the Cubs made was bring back starting pitcher Jason Hammel. Then, the Cubs acquired catcher Miguel Montero from the Arizona Diamondbacks for two minor league pitchers. Montero, a two-time All Star, represents an improvement over Welington Castillo in terms of pitch-framing and handling a pitchingstaff.
The Cubs were not done.
In what may have been the biggest move at the Winter Meetings, the Cubs’ signed free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester. Lester gives the Cubs a true ace at the top of their rotation and one that a contending team can depend on.
As we head into 2015, that is where we stand with the Cubs.
For the first time in forever (For you kiddies out there), there is anticipation for the start of Spring Training. That anticipation is based on the work that Epstein and company have done over the course of the past three years.
Theo Epstein, everybody, your Chicago Sports Figure of the Year.