World news – CA – Theo Epstein left the Cubs after nine seasons, the 2016 World Series title

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The Chicago Cubs announced Tuesday that Theo Epstein will be stepping down as head of baseball operations for the team. The last day of Epstein with the Cubs will be Friday. The Cubs announced that General Manager Jade Hoyer will replace Epstein, whose five-year contract with the Cubs was due to expire after the 2021 season..

Epstein, 46, spent nine seasons with the Cubs and led the series to the 2016 World Series title – a first for Chicago in 108 years.

« For the rest of my life, I will be proud to be part of the great Chicago Cubs during this historic period, » Epstein said in a press release.. «  All the things that made this experience so special – the fans, the players, the managers, the coaches, the ownership, my front office mates, the uniqueness of the Wrigley experience and the history – make it very difficult to leave the Cubs. But I think it was the right decision for me even if it was a tough one. Now is the time, not a year from now.

“The organization faces a number of decisions this winter that have long-term consequences; the best way to make these kinds of decisions is someone who will be here for a long time rather than just another year. Jed has got the chance and is the perfect fit to take on this baseball stunt at such an important time.

At age 46, Epstein can certainly commit to a new challenge in baseball (or anywhere else), but it looks like it won’t happen until 2021.. According to John Morossi of the MLB Network, Epstein will halt Major League Baseball’s 2021 season. He will not pursue open general manager positions with the New York Mets or the Philadelphia Phillies.

Epstein oversaw the top-down rebuilding of the Cubs that resulted in Chicago winning the 2016 Championships. He has been an integral part of changing the Cubs’ culture, as he did during his long 10-year stint with the Boston Red Sox before landing at Wrigley Field.. He made a complete transformation in Boston, too. Epstein oversaw the Red Sox as it ended the tournament’s 86-year drought in 2004 and in 2007, when Boston won another episode..

When Epstein left the Red Sox, he explained that the move was in part due to a philosophy chosen by longtime 49ers coach Bill Walsh.. Walsh believes coaches and executives benefit from a change of landscape every decade. In this sense, the departure of Epstein from the Cubs comes in time.

In a letter sent to friends, Epstein said he plans to spend time with family and work with nonprofits during his time away from baseball, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Epstein wrote in the letter: « I plan to have a third season leading a baseball organization one day, although I don’t expect it to be next year. ». .

The Cubs finished the abbreviated 2020 season as NL Central Champions with a record of 34-26, but were knocked out post-season, losing both matches of their Best of Three Series against the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card Round. Since winning a championship in 2016, the Cubs have slowly fallen behind their opponent status and haven’t won a post-season match since 2017.. Matt Snyder of CBS Sport explained the reason for their early exit from this year’s qualifiers by the end of the road for the basic squad that won the 2016 World Series.. .

Heuer is Epstein’s longtime friend and colleague, both in Chicago and Boston and said he was « happy » to lead the Cubs to move forward..

“I am grateful to the Ricketts family for giving me the opportunity to lead the Cubs’ baseball operation,” Heuer said in the statement. «  For the past nine years, I have worked alongside many dedicated colleagues with one goal in mind – to build a team and organization that make Cubs fans proud and provide them with memories of a lifetime.. I am delighted that this transition to leadership will provide continuity to an administration that has had tremendous successes over the past six seasons. Ultimately this relocation is about the future, and I look forward to continually pushing the Cubs to develop and grow to ensure sustainable success at Wrigley Field..

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Chicago Cubs, Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Boston Red Sox, MLB