The Chicago Cubs introduced Theo Epstein as their president of baseball operations on Oct. 25, 2011. Five years and a week later, they have their first World Series title in 108 years.
The Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling Game 7 on Wednesday night, erasing more than a century of heartache and disappointment on the North Side of Chicago.
For Epstein, it’s the second time he’s exorcised demons in a tortured baseball market, but he didn’t do so by accident or wizardry, contrary to popular belief.
Epstein came to Chicago with a plan, which he laid out in his opening statement back in late October of 2011.
Here’s his opening statement, his mission statement even, which he more than made good on just a few years into his tenure.
To me, baseball is better with tradition. Baseball is better with history. Baseball is better with fans who care. Baseball is better in ballparks like this. Baseball is better during the day. Baseball is best of all when you win. That, ultimately, is why I’m here today.
With this ownership and with this fan support, I firmly believe we can preserve all those things I just mentioned that make the Cubs so special and, over time, build a consistent winner and a team that is playing October baseball regularly. And a team that will ultimately win the World Series.
–Mission accomplished.
But that does not happen overnight and it certainly does not happen because of one person. Over time and together, we will build a solid foundation that delivers sustained success for the Cubs.
That foundation for sustained success starts with a commitment to scouting and player development. Not just the words but the actions.
The Ricketts family already demonstrated that commitment with an aggressive draft this summer and through our actions we’ll demonstrate that commitment every single day. Our goal will be to build the best scouting department in the game, one that makes an annual impact in the draft and internationally.
–In that 2011 draft, the Cubs took Javy Baez in the first round. He homered in Game 7. In Epstein’s first draft, the Cubs took Albert Almora Jr., whose heads-up baserunning Wednesday night set the table for the win. In 2013, the Cubs took likely National League MVP Kris Bryant in the first round. The 2014 draft produced Kyle Schwarber.Â
As far as player development goes, we will define and implement a Cubs way of playing the game and we won’t rest until there’s a steady stream of talent coming through the minor league system trained in that Cubs way making an impact out here at Wrigley Field.
–Epstein and the Cubs took a bare cupboard and turned it into a prospect treasure trove, with some of those prospects contributing on the big league club and others being used in trades to acquire big-name players like Aroldis Chapman.
Building a foundation for sustained success also requires a team of people working passionately to support a common vision of what the Cubs can become.
A big part of my job is to build a dynamic baseball operations that’s progressive, effective and united. I plan to bring in some of the best and the brightest from outside the organization, but I also plan to sit down and learn from all the talented people who have served the Cubs over the year. Together, we’ll work to define and implement a new vision for the Cubs.
A foundation for sustained success also means creating sound decision-making processes. There are hundreds of small decisions that baseball front offices make every day. Little opportunities to impact the organization. Our goal will be to create sound results through sound process.
To that end, we’ll use every bit of available information. Traditional scouting on one hand and objective data on the other hand so that our evaluations can come into greater focus. We also pledge to dig deep with research and development to find the next great competitive advantage that will push the Cubs forward.
–This is how you identify someone like Jake Arrieta — an eventual Cy Young winner — as a player who you can help turn around, acquire him for a relative bargain and watch him become a vital member of your ballclub.
Building a foundation for success also means creating a winning culture at the big league level. Our fans deserve a clubhouse full of players who are proud to wear the Cubs uniform and who are as passionate about winning as they are. Our players, on the other hand, deserve to know their teammates have their backs and the organization will always be honest with them and put them in a position to succeed.
–You think these guys care about the Cubs organization, their fans and their own teammates?
We’re going to have to grind our way to the top and we must do so together. It will be a lot of work. Good thing we are ready and we are hungry.
As I mentioned earlier, when we do achieve that sustained success and win a World Series, it will not happen because of any one person. It will happen because of all of us. It will happen because one of our area scout drives the extra six miles to get that one last look at a prospect before the draft. It will happen because a rookie ball pitching coach comes out every day to early work until he finally finds that right grip for a young pitcher’s changeup. It will happen because someone from our international staff takes the extra time to really get to know a 17-year-old kid and helps make his transition to the States that much easier. It will happen because a fringe prospect in Double-A buys into the Cubs way, takes responsibility for his own development and turns himself into a big piece of our big league puzzle.
–Look at Carl Edwards. He was a 48th-round draft pick by the Texas Rangers, and the Cubs acquired him in 2013. He made his big league debut in 2015 and got two outs in the 10th inning Wednesday night.
It will happen because our major league coaching staff is more prepared than their counterparts across the field.
–Despite a few head-scratchers in Game 7, Cubs manager Joe Maddon is one of the best in the business.Â
It will happen because our major league players band together, support each other, overcome adversity and work really hard to make our fans proud.
It will not be any one person. It will be all of us in the Chicago Cubs. I believe we will do it, and I really can’t wait to help lead the way.
Photo via David J. Phillip/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports Images
