Valuing Input

Zack Scott, a former MLB GM and the founder of Four Rings talks about when the Red Sox traded for Dave Roberts in 2004, a move that ended up changing the course of history in Major League Baseball. He uses this as a great example of the importance of valuing input from everyone on your team.

Not every great trade comes from sophisticated analysis. Sometimes it’s about delegating and setting others up to succeed.

The Dave Roberts trade almost didn’t happen. And if it hadn’t, the 2004 Red Sox probably wouldn’t have become the first team in history to come back from down 3-0.

Theo Epstein asked an intern to research available outfielders. The initial list was terrible, but instead of dismissing it, he challenged the young staffer to think differently. That’s when the intern heard the Dodgers were trying to acquire Steve Finley. Since they already had plenty of outfield talent, maybe they’d be willing to trade away Dave Roberts. The intern rushed to Theo’s office with the idea. Within hours, we’d made the trade.

You know how that story ended—bottom of the ninth, Game 4 of the ALCS. Roberts steals second, scores the tying run, and we complete the greatest comeback in baseball history. That trade happened because Theo had created an environment where everyone’s input was valued.