Owner and Chairman not present as Ben Cherington takes charge as Boston Red Sox General Manager
Ben Cherington has taken charge of the Boston Red Sox as a General Manager in a packed room in Fenway Park on Tuesday afternoon at the same time when Theo Epstein took charge of the Chicago Cubs.
After the Red Sox forced Theo to leave the club for good, they had a close eye on Ben. After close consideration, the management decided to call Ben for the empty spot.
The State Street Pavilion in Fenway Park was filled with all employees, gathered to enjoy the moments of the best day of Ben’s career. It proved to be a good news for the city as Ben was their player.
Theo was given the charge of the Chicago Cubs as President three hours earlier which left a sad feeling in the Red Sox club. The Red Sox, owner John W. Henry and Chairman Tom Werner were not present to welcome their new GM. This was not seen in 2002 when
Epstein was given the responsibility.
"Their schedules are such that they're out of town," CEO Larry Lucchino said when asked about the absences. "I believe they're here in spirit. I suspect they are watching every golden minute of this press conference. One's in California; ones in Florida.”
Henry and Werner were aware of this ceremony last week on Friday and they had four days to arrange their schedule but they still did not appear. According to experts, if they were not in the mood to join just because the Cubs were getting Theo, it was a
wrong decision knowing Ben will be an important part of the club. Cherington and CEO Larry Lucchino should not be given the whole show to pick up all the pieces, remarked an expert.
Cherington commented that he had not yet spoken to Crawford and would love to visit him despite calling. He also has associated this hope with the team’s manager. Cherington appreciated the services of Crawford for the club saying he has earned enormous
respect from his team-mates.
"It would have been easy to run away from," Cherington said of Crawford's response to his travails. "Because of that, and his talent, I believe in this guy moving forward."
It was interesting to note the obvious absence of the Red Sox owner and the Chairman from the ceremony to announce Cherington as the new General Manager. Although the team played it off, many are wondering the actual impact of Theo Epstein going to the Chicago
Cubs and the fact that he took charge of the team as President around the same time Cherington was being announced as the new GM.
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