Theo Epstein Resigns From Cubs, Ending 9-Year Tenure In Chicago
BOSTON (CBS) -- Theo Epstein is no longer in charge of the Chicago Cubs.
The executive stepped down from his position as president of baseball operations on Tuesday. Jed Hoyer, who had been the general manager and executive vice president, will take Epstein's place.
Theo Epstein will step down from his role as President of Baseball Operations effective Nov. 20 and depart the organization after nine seasons.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 17, 2020
Jed Hoyer, who joined the club in Nov. 2011 as Executive VP/General Manager, will be named President of Baseball Operations. pic.twitter.com/SDeF826SFH
"We have had our most successful period in over a century under Theo's leadership, and we are grateful for everything he has given to this organization and this city," owner and team chairman Tom Ricketts said.
ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Epstein told friends that he does not anticipate that he will be working for an MLB team next year.
Epstein says in the letter he will spend time with family and work with non-profits, including his Foundation to Be Named Later and The Players Alliance.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2020
"I do plan on having a third chapter leading a baseball organization someday, though I do not expect it to be next year."
A Brookline native, Epstein joined the Cubs in October 2011, after a 10-year career with the Boston Red Sox. Epstein owns the distinction of breaking two curses -- first as general manager of the Red Sox in 2004, then as president of baseball operations with the Cubs in 2016. Those championships ended droughts of 86 years and 108 years, respectively.
"For the rest of my life, I will cherish having been part of the great Chicago Cubs organization during this historic period," Epstein said. "All of the things that have made this experience so special — the fans, the players, the managers and coaches, ownership, my front office colleagues, the uniqueness of the Wrigley experience, the history — make it so tough to leave the Cubs. But I believe this is the right decision for me even if it's a difficult one. And now is the right time rather than a year from now. The organization faces a number of decisions this winter that carry long-term consequences; those types of decisions are best made by someone who will be here for a long period rather than just one more year. Jed has earned this opportunity and is absolutely the right person to take over this baseball operation at such an important time."
The Cubs have struggled to get back into contention since winning it all in 2016. Their bid for a repeat ended with a five-game NLCS loss in 2017, and they've yet to win a playoff game since that year. They lost the wild-card game in 2018, missed the playoffs in 2019, and lost their wild-card series in two games in 2020.