Does David Ross' Players Tribune article give insight into Theo Epstein?

The Player’s Tribune is nothing new, I’m pretty sure most people know what it is by now. On the website, I cam across David Ross’ article “Elite ‘Glue Guys’ 101.” I didn’t make it past the opening section before I was surprised and took to writing.

Ross describes his meeting with then-Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein at the end of the 2008 season. Epstein met with Ross and told him that he would not be returning to the team and straightforwardly told him that he has a reputation of not accepting his role and that he doesn’t understand his role on a team either. According to Ross, Epstein added that he’s selfish and a bad teammate.

First it took me by surprise for the fact that Ross could be classified as selfish and bad teammate. You hear all these stories about Ross being a great guy. I’ve listened to him talk on the Starting 9 podcast and on ESPN and he knows a lot about the game and seems like a generally good guy. He almost has this vibe as a hard-nose, confident person. Then I started to think about Theo Epstein.

It takes guts to address someone like how Epstein addressed Ross. To be so straightforward, that takes a lot to do. We all know that one person that is a blow-hard but we would never tell them they are. Epstein went straight shooting in this one.

But this led me to believe that this is what caused Epstein to be ousted as general manager of the Boston Red Sox. Epstein had fought, and I use that term loosely, with upper management of the team. He wanted a bigger role, move up into President of the team and operations and basically create what he got from the Chicago Cubs. Seeing how straightforward he was to Ross, it makes me wonder just how straightforward he was to ownership. Did he use the same bullish tactics towards Henry and Warner, telling them Larry Lucchino was basically useless? I don’t think we would ever find out. Everyone knows there was a power struggle coming from Epstein wanting more input and ownership wouldn’t give it to him. Maybe there’s something there in how Epstein talks and holds himself. He’s a smart guy and probably lets others know.

But you never know. Epstein did write in the Boston Globe when leaving the Red Sox that it was nothing about money or power and that he really liked ownership. John Henry was basically his mentor as Epstein went wherever Henry went. He also said that ownership offered him an expanded role. But you never know what went on behind the curtain.

I don’t know either way what happened. There’s always two sides to the story. The reports that Epstein wanted more power are just as valid as Epstein’s words as he left Boston. What I find interesting was how straightforward he is to players. It’s what makes him such a great baseball mind. He knows talent and knows how to negotiate. As Ross continued writing, it seemed like Epstein had all the power. Guys like Ben Cherington definitely did not command a room like this. Dave Dombrowski definitely does.

So take what you want from how I read into Ross’ words. It’s interesting to think about and something I would definitely want to follow up on.