Results tagged ‘ Theo Epstein ’
5/14 Hot Stove Cool Music event June 21
Theo Epstein, Len Kasper and Peter Gammons will host the second annual Hot Stove Cool Music Chicago benefit concert on June 21 at Wrigleyville’s Metro. Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, will be joined on stage by Kasper, the Cubs’ TV play by play man, and Gammons, a Hall of Fame baseball writer. Proceeds from the event will benefit Chicago Cubs Charities and Epstein’s “Foundation To Be Named Later.” It will feature ensemble performances by headliner Poi Dog Pondering along with the Parkington Sisters, Brede Baldwin and Kay Hanley, former vocalist for Letters to Cleo. Gammons, Epstein and Kasper will perform alongside The Hot Stove All-Stars, featuring Jesse Dee, Local H’s Scott Lucas, Will Dailey, Jimmy Chamberlin and special guests.
Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon CT at http://www.metrochicago.com and the Metro Box Office located at 3730 North Clark Street, Chicago. General admission tickets are $50, with no service fees for cash purchases. VIP tickets will also be available at http://www.ftbnl.org.
In addition to the all-star music lineup, the evening will feature a number of special guests and a live and silent auction featuring signed sports memorabilia and priceless entertainment experiences.
Hot Stove Cool Music was founded in 2000 by Gammons and former Boston Herald sports writer Jeff Horrigan. The biannual event has raised more than $5.5 million for Theo and Paul Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later and the Jimmy Fund. Foundation To Be Named Later was founded in 2005 by Epstein and his brother Paul as a means to create positive opportunities for disadvantaged children and families. Nonprofit partner beneficiaries include the One Fund Boston 2013, The Chicago Children’s Choir, City Year Chicago, Girls in the Game, Family Reach Foundation, Chicago Wapiti RFC, Late Night Peace Basketball League, and Garfield Park Little League.
5/1 Leave Wrigley? No way
There’s nothing wrong with Wrigley Field, Dale Sveum said. It just needs a little upgrading and the support from the city and community to do that through the proposed $300 million renovation plan. The Cubs submitted their proposed changes to the 99-year-old ballpark and the neighborhood to the city plan commission on Wednesday, and must now wait for final approval. If rejected, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said the team would have to consider other options, such as moving out of Wrigley.
“I think it’s hard for everyone to envision,” Theo Epstein said of the possibility of the Cubs leaving the neighborhood ballpark. “Everyone’s on record as saying their goal is to stay here and win here. Tom’s answer to that question today really underscored the importance of the project and the importance of the revenue to our vision of building a sustainable winner in a big market and behaving the way a big market should.”
Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer told players they could expect a new clubhouse by Opening Day 2014. If the renovations are not improved in time to begin work this offseason, that could be delayed until 2015.
“At this point, it depends on how long the public approval process takes,” Epstein said. “If it drags on too long, it’s going to be unrealistic to get it done this winter and then we’re probably looking at Opening Day 2015 for the renovated clubhouse. … We’re all hoping, for a lot of reasons, and not just the revenue, that we can get this moving sooner rather than later.”
The Cubs players want to see Wrigley upgraded, not abandoned.
“I know Mr. Ricketts wants to win and he’s building a winning environment here,” Anthony Rizzo said. “He’s going to do whatever it takes to get what needs to be done done. If it takes moving — I know he wants to bring a championship here, whether it’s at Wrigley or not. We all want to be at Wrigley. These renovations, I think they need to get done, to be honest, to make everything more modernized.”
– Carrie Muskat
4/16 Theo: Can’t play sloppy ball
It’s only 12 games, but the Cubs aren’t happy with the direction so far.
“It’s been frustrating with the results,” GM Jed Hoyer said. “The wins and losses, they are what they are, and that’s our record, but given some of the production, we should have more wins than we do.”
Cubs relievers entered Tuesday’s game with a 5.82 ERA, which ranks 13th in the National League, while the starters rank fourth in the league with a 3.28 ERA.
“It’s always bad when you can’t close out games,” Hoyer said. “If you want to look for a silver lining, we’ve been in a lot of games and we should’ve won more. If you’re getting blown out night after night and don’t have the talent to compete, I think it would be more frustrating. I think the way we’ve played is probably the most frustrating brand of baseball. There’s nothing worse than winning a game for 2 hours 45 minutes and then losing. I think that starts to wear on a team. As the game goes, the most frustrating brand of baseball is winning for most of the night and losing in the end, and we need to stop that. Obviously, the bullpen needs to tighten up and the defense needs to tighten up, too.”
The Cubs have been charged with 10 errors, third most in the Majors behind the Nationals (12) and Marlins (11).
“We’re off to a slower start than we would’ve liked,” said Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations. “[There's been] some sloppy play that we need to eradicate sooner rather than later. The bullpen is off to a slow start which can make for some tough losses.
“We’re not that talented that we can get away with playing sloppy ball, so we need to fix that,” Epstein said.
– Carrie Muskat
4/16 Pray for Boston
Theo Epstein’s brother, Paul, was running in the Boston Marathon on Monday, and Theo was in a meeting when he heard about the bombings. Paul finished before the bombs exploded, and was safe. For Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, seeing the explosions on TV was horrific.
“The injuries and the loss of life is awful,” Hoyer said. “If you live in Boston for any amount of time … [Patriot's Day] is kind of the best day in the city. The Red Sox game is in the morning, everyone has off work, everyone runs out of the Red Sox game and goes right to the race and watches the end of the race, and there’s usually tons of parties and gatherings at night. It’s a day that’s unique to Boston, and unique to Massachusetts and everyone has a great time and lives it up. For the rest of the country, most cities don’t have that one holiday that’s unique to them.”
Hoyer said he’s hopeful Boston bounces back.
“Seeing the blood on the ground outside buildings that you walk past every day is hard,” he said.
– Carrie Muskat
4/11 Theo: “We condemn the act, support the player”
Anyone who was around Jorge Soler in Spring Training was surprised at the news that he had taken a bat and headed toward the opposing dugout on Wednesday night. The Florida State League suspended Soler five games for his actions.
“Jorge is tremendously remorseful about what happened, and understands what he did was wrong,” said Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations. “He didn’t sleep last night, was up all night thinking about it. He was very apologetic. He understands this can’t happen again and understands there will be discipline associated with it.”
Epstein reviewed the video of the incident, and talked to Soler Thursday morning. According to the outfielder, there was some talk back and forth during the game, and something was said about Soler’s family, and Epstein said, “that’s when he lost his cool.”
“He understands and we agree that’s not an excuse for what happened,” Epstein said. “He has to find a way to better manage his emotions on the field. We condemn the act and what took place but we support the player. We believe in Jorge as a person as well as a player. It’s our responsibility to work with him and make sure he has a better way to channel his emotions on the field and make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
This spring, Soler was well mannered, friendly and had a quick smile. But he’s also young and adjusting to life in the U.S.
“This is a great kid, who has already overcome a lot in his life, and someone we’re not worried about at all for the long haul,” Epstein said. “He’s been thrust into a very high profile situation very suddenly, and it’s our job as an organization to make sure he has the tools to make good decisions even in the heat of the moment.”
The entire incident was over quickly, Epstein said.
“There was no swinging of the bat whatsoever, there was no physical contact, there was no violent act,” Epstein said. “This was merely a situation of grabbing a bat, which he shouldn’t have done, and heading toward the opposing dugout, which he shouldn’t have done.”
– Carrie Muskat
4/1 Wrigley renovations
The Cubs want to start the five-year renovation plan of Wrigley Field this offseason, but they are waiting for the city of Chicago to give them the go-ahead. Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, said he hoped to have an update later on negotiations Monday in Chicago. The renovations are important.
“I think it’s fundamentally important to get us to the next level as an organization,” Epstein said. “We have a baseball plan and a business plan and they’re timed to sync up with one another — they’re interdependent. If we don’t get our Wrigley renovation done in a timely manner and done in the right way, then we can’t accomplish our business objectives and it will certainly get in the way of us ultimately accomplishing our baseball objectives. It’s very important.”
Among the changes the Cubs want are the ability to play more night games, to install more advertising in the ballpark, to block off Sheffield Avenue for fans. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts wanted a decision by Monday.
– Carrie Muskat
2/16 Video dude wins
Nate Halm, an assistant of video and advanced scouting, who was a late add to the Cubs staff bunting tourney because the masseuse withdrew, beat strength coach Tim Buss to advance to the players bracket on Saturday. Theo Epstein did beat GM Jed Hoyer in the first round, but Epstein then lost to Scott Harris, director of baseball operations, in the second round.
When Harris muffed a bunt against Epstein, the Cubs exec quipped: “Smart kid.” And when Harris beat him, Epstein reminded everyone: “I hired him.”
Halm beat Harris to advance against Buss. Cubs manager Dale Sveum threw to the 16 staff members. He organized the bunt tourney last year, which outfielder David DeJesus won. The players and pitchers brackets will begin this week now that the field of 64 has been completed.
“The most important match of the year was the first one,” Epstein said of beating Hoyer. “I’ve got to get better — better than Jed, which isn’t saying much. I will say Jed and I have a long history of playing pickup basketball and other sports. That one felt good. Nate, he might get an invite to camp on a Minor League contract — that was impressive.”
Epstein’s secretary Hayley DeWitte did advance further than her boss.
“Title IX is a good thing,” Epstein said.
– Carrie Muskat
2/15 Soler watch – updated
Jorge Soler reported to Cubs camp on Friday and had his first batting practice session. That may not seem like news, but watching the 6-foot-4 Cuban outfielder swing is an event. After he hit a ball over the fence in left center, Theo Epstein walked over to shake Soler’s hand, and welcome him to camp. He turns 21 on Feb. 25, and still needs time to develop but it’s fun to watch him hit.
“It’s a pretty impressive batting practice for the first day out there,” Dale Sveum said. “The ball comes off his bat like you want a ball to come off the bat if you’re a manager. I’m really, really interested to see him on the field. I’ve gotten to see him take [batting practice] and do things, but I haven’t gotten to see the instincts on the field and all that stuff. I haven’t gotten to see his arm either.”
Soler still needs time to develop. Before last season, he had played in a tournament in 2010, and then some games in the Dominican and that’s it.
“He’s still got to play and learn so much and face better pitching on a consistent basis and older pitchers who can do things,” Sveum said. “That experience factor comes in handy.”
Cubs hitting coach James Rowson went to Miami to work with Soler this offseason.
“He has the hand strength, which none of us can teach,” Sveum said. “It’s nice to watch that kind of [batting practice] but until things happen in a game is when you see why things are breaking down or why you need to make this adjustment. Does he have plate coverage? Is his bat staying in the strike zone long enough to handle a cutter on the outside part of the plate? You can go on and on.
“That’s why I’m really looking forward to games,” he said. “Mechanically, his lower half, I really like. He’s a guy who holds onto the bat with both hands, which I like, and right now, in [batting practice] it looks like it should play. It’s a pretty nice approach.”
The Cubs don’t want to rush him but when does he want to be playing in the big leagues?
“Next year,” Soler said, smiling.
– Carrie Muskat
2/11 Monday first watch
Looking ahead to the first week in Cubs camp:
* Carlos Marmol was at Fitch Park on Monday to undergo his physical and meet with manager Dale Sveum and staff. Marmol, who was charged with domestic abuse by a woman in the Dominican Republic, will give the media an update later in the day. The Cubs have investigated the matter and believe Marmol may be the victim.
“We don’t have all the information — obviously, we weren’t there — but every piece of information we were able to gather backs up Carlos’ story that he’s guilty of no wrong doing whatsoever and may in fact be the victim here if this case continues to be pursued like this,” Theo Epstein said. “All we can do is evaluate it on the merits. We do expect this matter will be behind him shortly based on the way it’s proceeding in the Dominican courts.”
* Tony Campana was designated for assignment on Sunday, but he could rejoin the team if he is not claimed by another team. Campana overcame cancer, made his debut near his hometown in Ohio, and is very popular among Cubs fans. He does have speed and the ability to create havoc on the bases. But he didn’t get on base enough — he has a .306 on-base percentage and .264 batting average.
“I think the biggest area where Tony needs to continue to work is finding a way to get on base where he can continue to use his speed,” Epstein said. “Regardless of what happens, we value his contributions, value his character and wish him the best.”
* Monday, pitchers and catchers will undergo physicals at Fitch Park with the first workout scheduled for Tuesday. Pitchers to watch include Matt Garza, coming back from an elbow injury, and Scott Baker, who had Tommy John surgery last year.
* What will be interesting to watch is who is the backup first baseman during drills once position players arrive. We’ll keep you posted.
– Carrie Muskat
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