Why one former teammate thinks Craig Breslow is ‘built for this moment’
Active major league players are often viewed by their teammates and others as future managers because of the leadership skills and other characteristics they bring to the field every day.
However, it is rare for a player to be considered a future front office manager.
But things have always been different for new Red Sox baseball boss Craig Breslow.
Often called “the smartest man in baseball” during his 12-year career, the Yale graduate always seemed destined to lead the team from top to bottom.
As Boston’s starting lefty during the 2013 championship season, Breslow impressed his veteran teammate, who was in the final year of his career.
“I think he’s a great addition,” former Red Sox right-hander Ryan Dempster said on MassLive’s Fenway Rundown podcast earlier this week.
“I think he’s very smart, everybody knows that.
He’s smart and knows the ins and outs of different aspects of the game and how the business works.
“What I like about Brees is that he listens well. I think when you’re in a situation like that, you have to listen to different things.
And how do you digest this information?
He did. As teammates, I had many conversations with them in the front office when I was with the Cubs. I believe he is largely responsible for developing the pitchers in a Cubs organization that hasn’t existed in 10 years.
Here he played an important role.
Yeah, I thought the Red Sox did a great job.
Good thing the Boston Red Sox hired this guy.
The former player now runs baseball operations and is a World Series champion.
He played for the Red Sox for five years. I think it has many benefits and it’s amazing. I think the people of Boston will like what he brings.”
Breslow, who played for seven teams from 2005 to 2017, played in 13 games for the Red Sox in 2006 and spent 2007 in the minor leagues before being waived by Cleveland in March 2008.
He returned to Boston at the trade deadline for exchanges.
He remained with the Sox for the 2012 and 2015 seasons. In 2013, he had a 1.81 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 59 ⅔ innings during the regular season and a 2.45 ERA in 10 postseason games.
The 43-year-old specialist made a good impression off the pitch as well.
Dempster recalled that during a players’ meeting to discuss postseason funding, Breslow proposed the idea of donating part to charity and part to the Boston minor league staff.
Dempster, who spent nine years with the Cubs and is now an analyst for the Marquee Sports Network, had the opportunity to spend time with Breslow during his four years in Chicago when he focused on the pitching department.
“He was one of the smartest guys on the team in 2013,” Dempster said.
“Intellectually, the way he sees things sometimes sees aspects that are not visible.
Whether it’s a pitcher’s meeting, hitting the Chargers, something we should have done, something he could have seen.
It was a really great year in Boston, our only year. And he didn’t give up another run until the World Series and the playoffs.
He was a huge factor in our success.
Why is Craig Breslow so successful managing the Red Sox?
We reported on his former colleague @Dempster46.
“When he came to the Cubs office, I said, ‘Yeah, that’s not a problem.’ That person is smart.
He is a great storyteller.
When you talk, he communicates with you. He understands baseball, winning, being a team member and what it takes.
Yes?
When you hire people who have never played a game, it’s no surprise that there’s always some lack of empathy or real understanding. So they have to get it through conversations, experiences, etc. Craig has it.”
Breslow is the first Red Sox player to take on a key role in baseball operations since Haywood Sullivan took over as general manager in 1977.
He becomes the fourth former player to hold a front office position in the current league, joining to Chris Young (Rangers), Jerry Dipoto (Mariners) and Chris Gaetz (White Sox).
“I think it gave me a bit of confidence without talking to anyone.” Dempster said.
“I think the more he talks, the more the story will continue.
“He might not have all the answers, and he’ll probably figure out what they are…
And when he’s at that stage now, when he’s making the decision, I think it’s subconscious or something.
That means guys have more going on many at once.
“He got it and played.” That doesn’t mean a guy in a position he hasn’t played can’t do it, too.
“He’s got to go out there and execute and not be afraid to make the tough choices and try every now and then.
Because playing it safe doesn’t always work when you’re playing with a fan base, especially in a city like Boston.
We have to go out there and take a stand and say, ‘This is what we want to do with the Boston Red Sox.’ I feel like she was made for this moment.
It is very cool and I am very happy.
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