EPSTEIN BROS.’ GOOD DEEDS
to the Cubs for a “player to be named later,” the irony wasn’t lost on Paul, who is 2 minutes older than the Cubs’ new boss.
“It was really fitting how that worked out. But I knew that moving to a new city would be tough, especially how hard he works. I didn’t want to put anything else on his plate. I told him we didn’t have to do anything for the charity this year,” Paul said. “To my surprise Theo said, ‘No, we want to keep this going. This shouldn’t be the end of the foundation.’ It was nice to hear, and that’s all it took to convince me to keep it going.”
Since Theo now hangs his Cubs hat in Chicago, the brothers agreed it was time for their charity to get a second home in the Second City. And they’re not wasting any time.
Paul, whose only Chicago experiences have been at O’hare Airport, arrived in town Monday to finalize the foundation’s Chicago debut on June 14 — the day before the Cubs square off against the Red Sox in a three-game series at Wrigley.
Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy is set to headline the foundation’s first “Hot Stove, Cool Music” charity concert at Metro. Company of Thieves, State Radio and the Hot Stove All Stars, which features foundation supporter and famed sportswriter Peter Gammons, 67, ripping guitar licks on his Fender Stratocaster, are set to round out the bill.
The Epstein brothers, Gammons and Cubs players plan to cap off the weekend of “music, baseball and giving back” — the foundation’s slogan — with volunteers spending time with kids at Children’s Memorial Hospital.
“Obviously my focus is on building a championship-caliber baseball organization, but I’m really glad the folks from ‘Hot Stove, Cool Music’ and the Cubs Foundation were able to get this concert organized so quickly,” Theo said. “It’s a great way to raise money for kids and families who can use the help while also having a great time marrying baseball and music.”
All the money raised will be funneled through Chicago Cubs Charities to local groups that help disadvantaged kids.
“I can’t wait to get to Chicago to see Theo and check out the city,” Paul said. “We want to help kids in Chicago and not just financially. It’s not just one time, here’s a check. Year after year, same as in Boston, we want to support them and raise awareness.”
But what about breaking the Billy Goat Curse and getting Cubs fans a World Series title?
“When the Red Sox hired Theo, I had to go out and talk to the TV cameras. They asked me if Theo would get Boston a World Series win. I told them I guarantee it. And two years later, well, you know,” Paul says. “I’m not making any similar comments this time. I check with Theo first.”