Baseball

Epstein stuns Boston by leaving GM post

By wire services
Published November 1, 2005

BOSTON - At 31, boy wonder Theo Epstein was ready to step out on his own.

The Red Sox general manager walked away from his hometown team Monday, stunning Boston and the baseball world one year after helping the franchise win its first World Series championship since 1918.

"I gave my entire heart and soul to the organization," Epstein said in a statement. "During the process leading up to today's decision, I came to the conclusion that I can no longer do so. In the end, my choice is the right one not only for me but for the Red Sox."

Epstein will work for a few days to assist the transition. The Boston Herald , which first reported the news on its Web site, said the Yale graduate told associates he might leave baseball, or at least take a year off.

Epstein was reportedly offered about $4.5-million for a three-year extension - quadruple his previous salary. But it was still short of the $2.5-million a year the Red Sox offered Oakland's Billy Beane in 2002 before making Epstein the youngest GM in baseball history.

ASTROS: Manager Phil Garner's contract was extended through 2007 after he led the team to its first World Series appearance. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

ORIOLES: Sammy Sosa filed for free agency after having a poor season in his first year in Baltimore. Sosa was acquired from the Cubs in February with one year left on his $72-million, four-year contract.

WHITE SOX: Frank Thomas exercised his $10-million option, giving the team five days to decide whether to keep the best slugger in team history or buy out the oft-injured designated hitter for $3.5-million. Chicago also exercised its $1.2-million option on right-handed reliever Cliff Politte and declined an option on designated hitter Carl Everett, giving him a $500,000 buyout. Everett, a Tampa native and former Hillsborough High standout, filed for free agency along with World Series star Geoff Blum.

FRICK AWARD: Dizzy Dean, Tony Kubek, Tim McCarver and Joe Morgan are among 182 broadcasters on the fan ballot. Fan voting starts today for up to three slots. The award is given annually at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The list also includes Richie Ashburn, Tom Cheek, Waite Hoyt, Ned Martin, Dave Niehaus, Joe Nuxhall, Ross Porter, Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, Ron Santo, Herb Score and Mike Shannon.

SILVER SLUGGER: Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Boston leftfielder Manny Ramirez won their eighth Silver Slugger Awards, while eight of the nine NL members were first-time winners.

Los Angeles second baseman Jeff Kent, who won for the fourth time, was the only NL player to have previously won. He was joined by Cubs catcher Michael Barrett and first baseman Derrek Lee, Cincinnati shortstop Felipe Lopez, Houston third baseman Morgan Ensberg, Atlanta outfielder Andruw Jones, Florida outfielder Miguel Cabrera, Milwaukee outfielder Carlos Lee and St. Louis pitcher Jason Marquis.

Rodriguez, who won seven Silver Sluggers at shortstop, won for the first time at third and was joined by Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield (fourth time winning). Ramirez was among three Boston players honored, joining catcher Jason Varitek (first), and designated hitter David Ortiz (second). Rounding out the AL team was Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira (second), Rangers shortstop Alfonso Soriano (third), Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada (second) and the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero (fifth).

TOP DOG: St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols took over the top spot from Marlins first baseman Carlos Delgado in the annual player rankings. Pujols scored 98.519 on a scale of 100, just ahead of Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira (98.462), according to the compilation by the Elias Sports Bureau.

[Last modified November 1, 2005, 02:15:27]