Henry was not in attendance yesterday, the day on which the 32-year-old Epstein and Lucchino sat side by side, along with former co-GMs Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington, to once and for all answer media inquiries about the last 12 tumultuous weeks.
He had an important business deal to attend to at home in Boca Raton, Fla., and was not present to hear Epstein offer explanations of a since-bridged ''fundamental disconnect" in how to build and sustain a baseball team. He wasn't there to listen to Epstein and Lucchino touch upon personal issues since resolved. He didn't hear Epstein discuss how baseball, at times overshadowed as the Sox evolved into a business colossus, has reclaimed what Epstein called its ''centrality in the operation."
Still, despite being 1,500 miles away, Henry sounded as in-tune with his organization as he has been since Epstein departed Oct. 31. Henry, on Nov. 2, said he had to ask himself if he was fit to be the Sox' principal owner. Asked yesterday if the past three months have lessened his interest in owning this team in this city, he convincingly said, ''No. I feel incredibly lucky, incredibly fortunate to be in this position. Not everyone is going to agree with the things I do or we do. But I can't wait for the first day of spring training. I'm ready for it."
He called 2005 ''the best year I've ever had in sports" despite the turmoil, citing the long-lasting glow of the World Series, the home opener, and the team overcoming injuries and underperformance to reach the postseason. However, it has been undeniably difficult, losing his general manager and much of the public goodwill he had generated, especially among a media contingent that has largely buried him for being evasive and impersonal.
