With the announcement on Friday that Theo Epstein will be taking over as President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs, the reality of Ben Cherington being the new General Manager for the Red Sox sets in. Â But how many casual fans have a clue as to exactly whom they will be getting when the team announces his promotion on Tuesday?
Here’s some background on Cherington to help the transition go more smoothly for fans who are worried about losing the GM who brought them two World Series championships in less than ten years.
The 37 year-old New Hampshire native has worked for the Red Sox since 1999, when Dan Duquette hired him away from the Cleveland Indians.  Starting as a scout, he has spent most of his time with the team as the Director of Player Development, Vice President of Player Personnel and Assistant General Manager.  When Theo Epstein left the team in late 2005, Cherington and Jed Hoyer were co-General Managers until Epstein returned in early 2006.
For fans concerned that only Epstein has the smarts to bring in young talent, fear not because Epstein has always been quick to give Cherington credit.  Cherington was part of the group responsible for bringing to the Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Daniel Bard and, among others, Justin Masterson.  Before officially being named co-GM with Hoyer, Cherington was part of the “Gang of Four” (along with Hoyer, Bill Lajoie, and Craig Shipley) who brokered the trade with the Florida Marlins that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston.
If you’re a Theo Epstein fan, it should bring you some comfort to have Ben Cherington as the new General Manager. Â Different face, different name but the philosophy and work style is essentially the same. Â Which is to say, he’s a very good fit for the Red Sox so the fans, ultimately, won’t be disappointed that he’s the new guy in charge.