Watch CBS News

Levine: Cubs' Theo Epstein Named Executive Of The Year By Sporting News

By Bruce Levine--

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein took home the Sporting News Executive of the Year award Monday night as the GM meetings kicked off after Chicago's 103-win regular season was followed by a historic World Series championship for the organization.

The award is voted on by baseball executives and is compiled before the regular season ends. Of the 54 ballots cast, Epstein received 13 votes, with the Indians' Chris Antonetti coming in second with nine votes. Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer also received two votes.

"It means a lot," Epstein said. "It's the first time I have won the award. Very humbled. What makes it special is that it's voted on by GMs and assistant GMs. Let's be honest, this is 100 percent an organization award. This is for the whole Chicago Cubs baseball organization. I made that clear in accepting the award. The head of the department gets the credit, but it's all of the people who make it work."

After an NLCS loss in 2015 that followed years of superb drafting, Epstein and Hoyer went about their jobs like men on a mission to change the history of an 108-year World Series drought. They added three high-profile free agents in outfielder Jason Heyward, infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist and right-hander John Lackey. The moves proved to be the final steps to a championship, further solidifying a young and talented group.

Although Heyward flopped on offense, he brought great defense and a strong clubhouse impact. Lackey was reliable, shouldered a heavy innings workload until going on the disabled list in August and brought a hard-nosed attitude to the clubhouse.

Zobrist brought with him versatility and instant credibility in having been a part of the 2015 champion Royals. He went on to be the World Series MVP for the Cubs.

Epstein also engineered a pair of in-season trades to fortify the bullpen, adding closer Aroldis Chapman and left-hander Mike Montgomery.

"Contributions come from all over," Epstein said. "Chapman, we would not have won the series without him. Mike Montgomery, getting the last out for us. He was huge for us in the postseason. The draft and the players who we signed were all involved in our game-winning rally. Our three consecutive first-round picks contributing in the 10th inning (of Game 7). Zobrist big hits, Heyward rallying the troops. It truly came from all over this team. It takes hundreds of people to create a winning team."

Epstein was rewarded with a five-year extension in late September that keeps him under contract through the 2021 season. The deal makes him one of the highest-paid executives in sports, with estimates coming in around $10 million annually.

Few would argue that he hasn't earned it. Epstein broke the Red Sox's 86-year championship drought in 2004 and now has brought the Cubs their first title after 108 years of waiting.

Taking over in October 2011, Epstein completely revamped the roster. Javier Baez and Willson Contreras were the only two Cubs players on their 25-man World Series roster who were acquired by the previous regime.

What Epstein has built should be sustainable.

"We want our fans to expect us to play October baseball every year," Epstein said. "We hope we can be a great organization who people look at like the great teams in New York  (Yankees) and Atlanta who had sustained success."

In that comment, Epstein left out the Red Sox, a team he helped mold into a power, directly overseeing championships in 2004 and 2007 and leaving a group that helped win a title in 2013 as well. The work he did there and thus far in Chicago means that as soon as Epstein decides to leave the game, he's on his way to the Hall of Fame.

"I feel really lucky to have been a part of two great franchises, in a period of time when these historic things have happened," he said.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.