Kraft owner of sympathetic view

August 23, 2007|Jackie MacMullan, Globe Columnist

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Kraft admits there are players his team has passed on because the background checks did not warrant the dollars required to secure them. Theo Epstein, whom Red Sox owner John Henry entrusts to handle the acquisition of his personnel, acknowledges the same thing.

"Even when you're pretty sure about someone, there's always more you wish you knew," Epstein conceded. "It's important, I think, to distinguish between players who have been in your organization for a long time, including home-grown players who have come up through the minors, and players who have never been with the organization and are acquired either via trade or free agency.

"In our case, we talk to as many teammates as possible. Teammates are generally with you throughout a six-month regular season, and a six-month preseason. They can give you a fairly accurate sense of a person. But, obviously, there's uncertainty in every investment."

Epstein quickly added that the uncertainty of a person's character exists beyond the sports world.

"Look at the BTK serial killer from Wichita [Kan.]," he said. "People worked and lived alongside him for 15 years and never knew."

Kraft has invested the most heavily in Brady and Richard Seymour, and recently signed Adalius Thomas, who signed the biggest free agent contract in Patriots history. Kraft knew little about Thomas before they brought him on board, aside from his team's research.

But, he said, he likes what he's seen from Thomas, both on and off the field. And he's willing to bet Brady is an investment that will never cause him the kind of heartache Arthur Blank is experiencing today.

"I'll put our money on him," Kraft said. "Richard, too."

You wonder if Arthur Blank will ever put his money on anyone ever again.

Jackie MacMullan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at macmullan@globe.com.