2008 Woodie Awards
Joe's Hero and Zero of the Week
Joe Andress
Issue date: 11/2/04 Section: Athletics
Hero: Theo Epstein
Imagine what it would be like to have a free pass to a city that allowed you to do as you desired for the rest of your life. A pass that not only entitled you to the immense respect and admiration of your fellow citizens, but also publicly memorialized you as the man who halted nearly a century of agony, heartache and pessimism.
Now let?s take that city pass and apply it to an entire nation.
Millions of people are forever in debt to you for the euphoria you so magnificently brought to their lives. Normally this type of idolization is only encountered by significant historical figures.
However, we aren?t talking about brave war heroes or triumphant political leaders we ?re talking about baseball.
The city I speak of is Boston and that nation is Red Sox nation.
This metaphorical free pass is now safely secured in the pocket of Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein.
Epstein took over the team less than twenty-four months ago and has now brought the club its first world championship in 86 years. The Yale graduate, was given his position at the age of twenty-eight, making him the youngest general manager in baseball history.
For putting an end to the mysterious "curse" on the Red Sox, stopping the ridicule of former errormaking player Bill Buckner andhis family, revitalizing a heartbroken yet dedicated baseball city and causing one "wicked fun" parade Theo Epstein, you are the hero of the week.
Zero: Scott Rolen
If you think back really hard to a time when our lives seemed to be a little more Canadian, you might remember the existence of the National Hockey League. You know, the one with all those silly little fellas who would put on ice skates and bang into each other for three periods of yawn.
OK, all NHL bashing aside, the reason I ask for you to jog down memory lane is because once you get there you might remember a player by the name of Eric Lindros. If you happen to be a Philadelphia sports fan, your blood probably should have just started to boil.
Imagine what it would be like to have a free pass to a city that allowed you to do as you desired for the rest of your life. A pass that not only entitled you to the immense respect and admiration of your fellow citizens, but also publicly memorialized you as the man who halted nearly a century of agony, heartache and pessimism.
Now let?s take that city pass and apply it to an entire nation.
Millions of people are forever in debt to you for the euphoria you so magnificently brought to their lives. Normally this type of idolization is only encountered by significant historical figures.
However, we aren?t talking about brave war heroes or triumphant political leaders we ?re talking about baseball.
The city I speak of is Boston and that nation is Red Sox nation.
This metaphorical free pass is now safely secured in the pocket of Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein.
Epstein took over the team less than twenty-four months ago and has now brought the club its first world championship in 86 years. The Yale graduate, was given his position at the age of twenty-eight, making him the youngest general manager in baseball history.
For putting an end to the mysterious "curse" on the Red Sox, stopping the ridicule of former errormaking player Bill Buckner andhis family, revitalizing a heartbroken yet dedicated baseball city and causing one "wicked fun" parade Theo Epstein, you are the hero of the week.
Zero: Scott Rolen
If you think back really hard to a time when our lives seemed to be a little more Canadian, you might remember the existence of the National Hockey League. You know, the one with all those silly little fellas who would put on ice skates and bang into each other for three periods of yawn.
OK, all NHL bashing aside, the reason I ask for you to jog down memory lane is because once you get there you might remember a player by the name of Eric Lindros. If you happen to be a Philadelphia sports fan, your blood probably should have just started to boil.
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