ESPN: Cubs introduce Theo Epstein

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7147573/chicago-cubs-introduce-theo-epstein-president-baseball-operations

Summary: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, Theo Epstein, former General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, is introduced as President of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.

Underlying theme: Cubs fans everywhere are filled with hope that Theo can deliver the Cubs their first World Series Championship in over 100 years, in the same way he shepherded the Red Sox, another sad-sack franchise for the better part of a century, to two titles in less than 10 years.

Knee-Jerk Reaction: Disclaimer, I have been a Cubs fan since I knew what baseball was. The last 25+ years have been a pretty consistent kick in the pants. Theo's introduction today gives me a lot of hope.

The mid-season exit of former GM Jim Hendry immediately started the rumor mill that Epstein would be intrigued by the possibility to turn-around another long-time losing organization. I got the feeling that millions of the Cubs' faithful felt the same way.

And it doesn't just appear to be a good fit. It sounds like a good fit, as well. At his introduction, Epstein hit on all the major points I wanted to hear: establishing a proper farm system, accepting the hard work that will be involved, making consistent appearances in October, setting the ultimate goal of bringing a Championship to the North Side, and, most key, in my opinion, changing the mentality and the culture surrounding the team.

The culture of the Cubs comes with 100+ years of baggage. That has to be the first to go. The players, the staff, and, especially, the fans have got to know that things are going to 1) change and 2) improve. Everyone has to pull for each other and in the same direction.

Things that I think should be somewhere on Epstein's priority list:
1) Steve Bartman "Bury The Hatchet Day": forgiveness not for Bartman, but from the entire City of Chicago (and the sorry sons-of-bitches that dare call themselves fans) to that poor man who has been so sorely mistreated by the public. ESPN's well-done documentary "Catching Hell" should make any self-respecting Cubs fan cringe in disbelief at the unacceptable treatment of a private citizen. Solution: Bartman throws out the first pitch on Opening Day 2012, with the Mayor of Chicago catching. The Mayor proceeds to put a price on the head of anyone caught bringing violence against Bartman.
2) Get Ryne Sandberg involved. Perhaps now isn't quite the time to place the Hall of Famer in the dugout driver's seat, but it will be one day. The man has done very good things managing in the minors and if he installs confidence in the fans think of what it would bring to the players. I loved him as a player; he was my favorite. It would be baseball poetry to see him finally make it to a World Series as a Chicago Cub.

I'm pretty damn excited about what future Octobers offer. I don't expect to be there next year or even in 2013, but I get the real feeling that 2014 isn't out of the question.