The hosts, who have been critical of the team in the wake of its stunning September collapse, were only too happy to accommodate their uninvited guest. In the wide-ranging 70-minute interview that followed, a combative Henry had his say, answering questions that surely had his employees back at Fenway Park squirming.
Henry said he did all he could to keep general manager Theo Epstein from leaving the team, a fight he ultimately lost when Epstein agreed on a five-year deal to run the Chicago Cubs earlier this week. The owner also said he opposed the landmark $142 million contract given to free agent outfielder Carl Crawford last winter.
In what turned into a feisty exchange, Henry denied the team was in chaos and said it would be “great’’ next season. The owner did not back down when challenged, displaying a combative side of his personality the public rarely sees.
“I’m here to give you facts,’’ said Henry, who usually speaks to the media accompanied by team president Larry Lucchino or other team officials.
Epstein has not yet officially left the Red Sox as the sides are negotiating compensation in return for his not fulfilling the final year remaining on his contract. But Henry essentially acknowledged that Epstein would not be back.
“I’d love to have Theo back,’’ he said. “I would have loved for Theo to have been our general manager for the next 20 years. That was my hope. That would have been my hope. But you don’t always get what you want.’’
The Red Sox are expected to name Ben Cherington to replace Epstein once the compensation talks are complete.
“It would be unfair of me and to the Cubs, who I don’t care that much about, but certainly to the Red Sox, Theo, and the people involved to comment on what’s going on until there’s something to announce,’’ Henry said.
Lucchino will be staying on, according to Henry. His contract runs out at the end of the year, but he and Henry have discussed a multiyear extension.
