Some daylight far, far away

In case you missed yesterday's post, I've just about had it with my local squads. Luckily my fretting subsided a bit this morning as I saw in my run of national newspapers that my prayers were answered. Of course, it wasn't in the Twin Cities but my personal sister-city of Boston.

Theo's back with the Sox!

I'm talking about Theo Epstein, the former General Manager of the Red Sox who quit his position 80 days ago. He can be largely credited with building the only recent team I'm a fan of to win a World Series. My interest in the team skyrocketed in 2004 while I lived for a short while in Beantown. It was an incredible experience where I made some great friends, did the golf thing nearly 24/7, lived with some freaking hippie girls, and fell in love with the Sox. The team probably has a lot to thank me for, since my presence at their games no doubtedly helped them to their first World Series title in more than 80 years.

After the Red Sox lost early in the playoffs this year, fans have had little else to cheer for as far as offseason maneuvers. Theo couldn't agree to a contract extension left the team. Ever since, they've been operating without a general manager. It most definitely affected contract negotiations with beloved center fielder Johnny Damon, who later packed his bags and his mountain-man look to cross enemy lines and wear pinstripes with the Yankees. Excuse me while I puke.

Theo's role won't be made public until next week with the team, but I think it's incredibly doubtful it won't include rebuilding this team. They've lost nearly every major player who got a ring in 2004 with the exception of Jason Veritek, Manny, and ex-Twin David Ortiz. Let's see what he'll do, but with the rather horrible movements of the Twins who are headed nowhere yet again, maybe I can even start wearing my Sox cap again soon!