BOSTON -- After first omitting former general manager Theo Epstein from the list of invited guests for Friday's 100th anniversary celebration at Fenway Park, the organization changed course and extended invitations to Epstein and its two other living former general managers, Mike Port and Dan Duquette, Thursday afternoon.
Epstein, however, said he would not be able to attend the event.
After CSNNE.com reported Epstein's exclusion, a senior Red Sox official contacted Epstein and told the Cubs' president of baseball operations that he and other GMs would be welcome to watch the ceremony from a suite at the ballpark.
"I hope tomorrow is a great day for Red Sox fans and for the whole organization," Epstein said. "I have plans to be at the Cubs game tomorrow, but I will take a moment to toast Fenway along with everyone else who loves that ballpark."
On Thursday morning, principal owner John Henry -- en route to Boston from Great Britain -- was surprised at the original omission.al owner John Henry, who said he was unaware of the decision until contacted by a reporter.
"Apparently we decided to just invite uniformed personnel," said Henry, noting that the team hadn't invited Port and Duquette, either.
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