(670 The Score) In the latest chapter in the surefire Hall of Fame career of former Cubs executive Theo Epstein, he joined the MLB commissioner’s office to serve as a key presence in guiding the game through a pivotal time.
In 2022, MLB and the players’ union reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement – after a 99-day lockout – and avoided a potentially catastrophic outcome for the game. With spring training having opened ahead of this 2023 season, MLB has now implemented new rules to improve the product, including a pitch clock, restrictions on defensive shifts and wider bases. Epstein has been an important figure in seeing through the new rule changes.
In speaking with the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score on Friday morning, Epstein shared his hope that the new rules will bring welcomed change across the game.
“It’s literally an industry-wide effort, led by the commissioner and the owners and the joint competition committee and then the players, who really dug in and helped improve a lot of these rules,” Epstein said. “I agree with (the) premise. It is the sensibility of Gen-Z doesn’t necessarily match up with the pace of baseball, and to some degree, the nature of baseball. Just with growing up on iPhones will shorten your attention span a little bit. I know just from watching my own kids, they like to skip to the end, skip right to the action, not necessarily invest three hours and 10 minutes – which is the average length of a major league game – into something for a reward.
“The game has changed a lot over the last 20 years, without any real intention behind it. It’s just been natural evolution, optimizations pushed by organizations, front offices, in some cases, people like me, pushed by the players themselves, just trying to get better. That has led the game down a path that nobody would’ve necessarily designed.
“It’s clear the time is now to step in and just be intentional about some hopefully subtle rules changes that will really improve the amount of action, the amount of athleticism and the pace of play. Credit to the commissioner, the owners and the players for leaning in and trying to be intentional about it now.”
Epstein previously served as Cubs president of baseball operations from late 2011 until he stepped down from that position after the 2020 season. Epstein built the Cubs a World Series championship team in 2016, bringing the franchise its first title in 108 years. After underdoing a rebuilding process, the Cubs reached the playoffs five times and won two NL Central crowns in Epstein's tenure in addition to their World Series championship.
Epstein, 49, also left open the possibility that he could return to lead a front office in baseball when the time is right.
“I’m not even 50 yet, so I got some years ahead of me to get back in,” Epstein said. “I think I’m in the right role right now. I really appreciate the commissioner for giving me a seat at the table for this important issue.”
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