Soccer Dad

The Jewish Times on Theo Epstein

This week's Jewish Times was filled with lots of good stuff. In addition to the profile of Geddy Lee there was the profile of Theo Epstein whose photograph grace the front cover. (There was also a shorter profile of another Jewish GM with Baltimore connections: Mark Shapiro of the Indians. Alas it wasn't included online. What's most interesting about this article is that it talks a bit about Theo's family, especially his father:

When Epstein was named general manager on Nov. 25, 2002, a month shy of his 29th birthday, the Boston sports media discovered Leslie Epstein. His is a rich story that makes for good reading: He grew up in Hollywood, where his father and uncle wrote films like "Casablanca," "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Arsenic and Old Lace." He once dated Jane Fonda, moved east to attend Yale and then went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He wrote nine novels, often with strong Jewish themes, including "King of the Jews," a hallmark of Holocaust fiction.

He's been the director of creative writing at Boston University for more than 20 years.

He could tell a story, and so he did. He told them about once watching a Sox game on TV with his young son, who told him that the center fielder should move three steps to his left. Moments later, a line drive was hit just out of the reach of the center fielder. "That's when I knew he really understood the game," he said to reporters.

(Warning: Articles in the Jewish Times expire after a week so you have to access this before Friday. After Friday you might still be able to Google it and get a cache, but I won't guarantee it.)
I'm still wondering if Theo Epstein used to be known as Eddie Epstein and co-wrote a book with Rob Neyer. I guess since the article didn't mention that, that I've been confused. It wouldn't be the first time.

Posted by SoccerDad at July 18, 2004 07:08 AM | TrackBack