One on one with ... Theo Epstein.

For the job of rebuilding the Red Sox and winning a first World Series title since 1918, ownership has turned to 29-year-old Yale graduate Theo Epstein, who grew up in the shadows of Fenway Park in Brookline, Mass. TSN asked Kid Epstein, as Red Sox fans call him, about his thoughts on baseball today and the challenges of running the hometown team.

TSN: What is the best advice about being a G.M. you have received from another general manager? How about the worst?

TE: The best advice I got was given by (former Dodgers and Angels executive) Buzzie Bavasi. He said to remember that every time you're about to make a deal, the guy on the other end of the phone is just as smart as you are, probably smarter.

The worst advice I got was from someone who shall remain nameless. He said that the best way to win over the Boston fans right away would be to trade for Players X and Y at any expense. Players X and Y are great players, but we would have had to trade away all of our good, young players to get them. I don't think quick fixes are the answer--not even in Boston, where there is pressure to win every year.

TSN: Forget about salary for this question: Who's the one player out there you'd like to acquire to help the Red Sox win the World Series in 2003?

TE: Well, that's a loaded question. I like the players we have. If you were trying to build a World Series contender, you would be thrilled to start with a core of Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Tim Wakefield, Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon. Our challenge is to start with this core and build a roster 1 through 25 that creates a winning club.

TSN: What's the most ...