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Flashback #99: Cubs Get Epstein (2011)

As of 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary on January 3rd, the station has begun to reveal (in chronological order) the Top 100 Chicago Sports Stories that have occurred since they first went on the air 20 years ago. Once all 100 of these "flashbacks" have been revealed, fans will be able to vote for which stories they believe are the most significant in the 20 year history of The Score. To see all of the Flashbacks that The Score has posted so far, please visit 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary page.

October 21, 2011 - Cubs get Theo Epstein

You can call it Theomania.

One man set the North Side of Chicago ablaze following the 2011 baseball season. That man was the 38-year-old Theo Epstein.

After the Red Sox's historic collapse in September, rumors began to circulate that Epstein, who won two World Series titles in Boston, wanted a change of scenery.

The Cubs, coincidentally, were looking for a new general manager after the dismissal of Jim Hendry. The only problem was the one year remaining on Epstein's contract with the Red Sox.

Reports began to surface that Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts was engaged in serious talks with the Red Sox about acquiring Epstein in a type of trade. Those rumors began to grow over the next two weeks before the deal became official.

Neither the Red Sox nor the Cubs would provide any indication as to whether the rumors were true, or when the deal would be finalized.

Then, one Friday night in late October, the word became official. Theo Epstein would become the Cubs president of baseball operations on five-year deal worth roughly $20 million. His good friend Jed Hoyer, who worked with him in Boston, would leave the Padres to become the Cubs general manager. Jason McLeod also joined the club as senior vice president of scouting and player development.

Epstein, who was hired as Red Sox GM at the age of 28, was viewed as a savior. He broke the "Curse of the Bambino" in Boston when brought the team a World Series title in 2004, and furthered his legend when he brought back another championship in 2007.

The Score will continue to release a new Flashback each weekday until they reach 100. Check back tomorrow for a new one, or check out all of the previous Flashbacks: 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary »

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