Chicago Cubs Theo Epstein Channels Bobby Valentine
Perhaps the most enduring image of Bobby Valentine involves him wearing a pair of Groucho Marx glasses and managing from the hallway after being thrown out of a New York Mets game. Chicago Cubs team President Theo Epstein decided to emulate Valentine while taking in yesterday afternoon’s game.
You never know who you are going to run into at a baseball game. Random celebrities or former players may well be in the stands, cheering on their favorite teams just like everyone else. Depending on which team is in town, finding the different celebrities can be a game within the game.
That was the case yesterday for Chicago Cubs fans. During the middle innings, Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer was spotted in the stands with a moustachioed being. As those pictures began to make the rounds on social media, it was discovered that Hoyer’s companion was none other than team President Theo Epstein, disguised with a fake moustache.
As Epstein said when he admitted to the disguise, there is nothing quite like the feel of sitting in the bleachers with a cold beer in hand, feeling the breeze on your face while taking in the sights of the game. Yes, it can be fun to watch a team in the suites, as the Cubs front office does, but there is still the allure of being amongst the fans. With the Cubs celebrating their division title, it was a perfect opportunity to do just that.
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This is not the first time that Epstein has donned a disguise. After all, back in 2005, when Epstein resigned from the Red Sox on Halloween, he left the ballpark in a gorilla suit. The fake moustache seems pretty tame in comparison. Maybe his Harry Caray costume was not ready.
Likewise, it is not the first time that Epstein has worn a fake moustache while out in public. He had previously worn the moustache while attending a Pearl Jam concert in 2010. Back in 2006, at another Pearl Jam show, he went even deeper, wearing a mullet wig and a hoodie, along with glasses and a wig, to avoid the prying eyes of the Red Sox faithful.
Since Epstein keeps coming back to the moustache, maybe it is time for a new look for the Chicago Cubs team President. Moustaches are popular once again amongst the younger crowd, and Epstein is still considered one of the hip youngsters in the game. Growing that type of moustache may only solidify that thought.
Moustache or not, the Chicago Cubs have plenty of reason to celebrate. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer wanting to head down to the bleachers and celebrate with the fans just shows how much they understand what is on the line as they head into the postseason.