BOSTON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox Monday named 28-year-old Theo Epstein the youngest general manager in major league history.
Esptein was named assistant general manager in March, after a group headed by John Henry purchased the team and fired general manager Dan Duquette.
Mike Port was serving as interim general manager, and is expected to take another job within the organization.
Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane withdrew his name from consideration earlier in the month, and Red Sox President Larry Lucchino elected to go with Epstein.
"After a thorough and extensive search of candidates throughout baseball, we concluded that the right person was right before our eyes," Lucchino said.
Epstein, a 1995 graduate of Yale, grew up in Brookline, Mass., literally a stone's throw from Fenway Park. He built up his professional resume with the San Diego Padres, working his way up from media relations to assistant GM.
Esptein had been assistant general manager with the Padres under Lucchino, who was that team's president from 1995-01.
"Theo was quite simply the right choice," said Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry. "He has been a constant source of ideas, energy and intelligence for us since he came home to Boston. He joins a select group of young and highly-talented general managers in today's game who are revolutionizing baseball. We believe he will excel from day one."
At 28, Randy Smith had been the youngest general manager ever with the Padres in 1993.
Port may become the team's Vice President of Baseball Operations. That was his former role.
"Mike (Port) is the embodiment of class," Epstein said. "I learned a great deal from him during the past year. I've learned a lot about baseball and being a professional. I've been a Red Sox fan since day one. The Red Sox are very much in my blood."
