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CHICAGO -- Theo Epstein is restless in a way most of us are not.No one is more invested in finding out whether he can repeat in Chicago what he did in Boston a dozen years ago -- win a World Series in a town that measures its disappointment in decades.But its not just the short-term goal that commands Epsteins attention. In the middle of a vacation with family or the middle of an inning surrounded by staff -- sometimes even in mid-sentence -- Epstein will extricate himself from the group, pull out his mobile phone and laser-focus on the longer-term target: building a dynasty.Thats why no box has gone unchecked. Its why Epstein spent days poring over brochures for sectional sofas to furnish the Cubs luxurious new clubhouse, but also why he spent five years tracking the ups and downs of a former Red Sox prospect named Anthony Rizzo, then traded for him when the time -- not to mention the price -- was right.Weve made plenty of mistakes, Epstein said on the field at Wrigley hours before the Cubs beat the Dodgers to wrap the NLCS last week. But the ones that weve hit on, weve gotten lucky with; some impact guys back, some best-case scenarios as far as how the guys have turned out.We knew, he added a moment later, that we didnt have a chance to rebuild twice in a market like this.When Epstein came on board with the Cubs in 2011, his task was to turn around an aircraft carrier-sized organization. He put back together his sabermetric-styled band from earlier stints in San Diego and Boston -- front-office execs Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod -- and rolled up his sleeves.During the first phase, he set out to shed what was essentially a roster of bad contracts and spare parts, then went searching for difference-makers largely through the draft. Cub fans, meanwhile, struggled to see what difference all that attention to data and detail made.The team lost 101 games in Epsteins first season on the job, then 96 and 89. But in 2015 with manager Joe Maddon and a roster stocked with promising young talent and a few savvy veterans, it became clear the rebuild had paid off.Rizzo was a budding star at first base. Across the diamond was draft choice and soon-to-be Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant. Up the middle, Addison Russell locked down the starting shortstop job at 21, and Javier Baez began realizing his offensive promise. Behind them in center was Dexter Fowler, who hit for more power than ever before.Despite his reputation as a numbers guru, one factor in many of Epsteins trade and draft decisions was actually a hunch. He prioritized hitters with power instead of pitching, betting that one little-examined consequence of baseballs toughened-up drug policy would be a dearth of the former and a surplus of the latter. This season made him look like a genius.It didnt hurt, of course, that pitching coach Chris Bosio turned pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta from afterthoughts into tough-as-nails, front-of-the-rotation starters. Or that Epstein was given a Monopoly-money checkbook to add expensive complementary parts like veteran pitchers Jon Lester and John Lackey, and switch-hitting, infielder-outfielder Ben Zobrist, whom Maddon uses like a Swiss Army knife.None of this comes as a surprise to Cleveland manager Terry Francona, who had the same job in Boston when Epstein, only 31 and still regarded as a wunderkind, rebuilt the franchise and reversed his first curse. Hed seen him at work before. He knew how much the infighting in the wake of all that success in Boston had stung Epstein.I saw him in spring training when we played them. He made a point of coming down actually during the game. And we text every so often, Francona said on the eve of the Series. Something comes up or something happens that he thinks is funny, or jogs a memory. Weve texted back and forth during the last couple playoff series. We were together eight years.Eight years in Boston is, I would almost say miraculous. Theres a lot of fond memories and we got through some tough times together and came out in the end. I knew when things got tough, he said, where I could go.That kind of loyalty and toughness impressed itself on Maddon when he interviewed for the Red Sox job that Francona -- who had much more experience at the time -- wound up getting. What hes learned about Epstein since made him even a bigger admirer.When he scans the clubhouse and sees the team his boss has assembled, Maddon marvels that theres not a prima donna in sight. Just like the couch and the ottoman he plops down on occasionally, Epstein has covered every detail ahead of time. Not just the new-age business tools like NASA-caliber scouting reports, but the old-school nod to issues like personalities and character.I think sometimes in the game today, it gets to the point where its just about acquiring a number, Maddon said. Im a big believer in that, but I also like the balance between the person and what the back of his baseball card says. Our guys do a wonderful job of balancing the math with the actual person.Thank Theos restlessness for that. Four more wins and generations of Cub fans will be doing the same.---Jim Litke is a sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke(at)ap.org and https://Twitter.com/JimLitke .Hydro Flask Norge . Olli Jokinen, Mark Scheifele, and Bryan Little each had a goal and an assist as Winnipeg won 5-2, handing Calgary its record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice. Hydro Flask Billig .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. http://www.norgehydroflask.com/ . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Hydro Flask i Butikk . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Hydro Flask Prisjakt . PAUL, Minn.With the presidential election just around the corner, it seems appropriate for me to declare my allegiance, my commitment toward someone or something.Among my favorite quotes is: Stand up for what you believe in, otherwise you risk standing for nothing.That said, I am a tough sell, and getting tougher as I age.So please allow me to clear the air on a few things:I believe in the Chase.Its taken some time, and there have been a few bumps in the road, but I love this format, I believe it creates entertainment, its equitable for all 16 drivers, and most important -- its authentic.Its authentic because it rewards winning! Thats something I have campaigned for since I hung up my helmet.As I navigated the Dover Garage area Friday, I discovered only two teams -- drivers who appeared at peace with themselves -- Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick. Both demonstrated the value of having won a playoff race.Its the purest form of competition when you reward the winners and incentivize those who remain.This formula works; it has enhanced the pursuit of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion -- period!I believe Dale Earnhardt Jr. should retire.Unless winning more races feels more critical than anything else in his life.I have no tolerance for anyone challenging my view on this who has never experienced the residual effects of concussions. Thats because its probably self-serving and comes from a perspective of not whats best for Dale but rather whats best for our sport, whats best for our ratings, whats best for our industry or our bottom line.Im not calling out anyone. I am well past that behavior, but I will fire this shot across the bow of anyone interested in challenging my view. I experienced it, I had to overcome it, and Im equipped to speak of it.Its personal for me because I worry about the long-term effects of my concussions. However, I have absolutely no regrets about any step of my driving career. None!NASCAR has contributed to my having a phenomenal life, and while I do have apprehension toward my quality of life 20 years from now, I have none regarding my first 50. Earnhardt is a wonderful person, among my favorite people. I trust him, I have confidence in him. He has helped make our sport better -- significantly better.What we owe him in return is the liberty to make this decision based on only one thing -- and this whats best for him.ddddddddddddI appreciate Tony Stewart, and I hope he wins Sunday.I havent always liked Stewart, and in full disclosure I know he hasnt always liked me! But I like that he is real.I like that he speaks his mind, says what he truly believes. Theres not enough of that in this world, and when Tony is gone, the tell-it-the-way-it-is meter will ratchet down a couple of notches.I believe Tony is among the most talented Ive ever competed against. I admire that part of him.What I dont admire is his inability to control his temper, maintain his composure.You see, how you act in life contributes majorly your legacy. How you react in life probably contributes even more than that.Two weeks in a row, Tony lost his composure, essentially causing two wrecks.While I appreciated Tony not ducking from the responsibility of what happened, I shuddered at the thought of the contingent of people who would associate Tonys behavior with the volatility in his recent past.Ryan Newman didnt help any of that by telling the world to go to Google and YouTube all things Tony Stewart.Let me be clear: I respect Tony Stewart. I also believe he is a good guy, and while Im confident he wouldnt intentionally try to hurt anyone in a race car, those two weeks cracked the door open slightly for those interested in deriding him.I believe Tony deserves better than that, but I also believe he is the gatekeeper of how he will be perceived.I sincerely hope Tony Stewart wins Sunday. I want it for him, for his family, his team, his fans.Most of all, I want Tony Stewarts career to end with celebration. I believe he deserves that.The Bottom LineMost of you expected me to declare support for a presidential candidate. I tempted you with how I framed the beginning of this article.Fact is, I wouldnt do that. Its not who I am, not what I represent.I have no interest in trying to persuade someone to think the way I think, believe what I believe. Thats something Ive acquired with age, perhaps wisdom.Think for yourself, say what you believe while being sensitive to how it might affect other people. But do not deviate from being yourself. Its what I refer to as being real.I love my life. I love real.[url=http://www.authenticwholesalejerseys.net/]Cheap Jersey I think, believe what I believe. Thats