By Marc Thaler
Sports Editor

Thanks to the Red Sox, John Sebastian has likely seen a boost in his royalties check since last week.

With Theo Epstein returning to Boston’s front office in an official capacity, it’s possible Red Sox fans heard management’s new theme song pumping through Fenway Park’s loudspeakers.

Yes, Sox owner John Henry has made sure his radio station, WRSN (Worldwide Red Sox Nation), is working with a one-song playlist.

Listen carefully. “Welcome back” is being broadcast around the clock from the rooftop of 4 Yawkey Way.

And why shouldn’t Henry and the rest of his Sweathogs be happy? Boston’s very own Vinnie Barbarino is back in the limelight. But seriously, Sox supporters.

That’s where the latest scene in the Hub’s hardball horror flick ceases to offer a hint of humor.

Theo Epstein’s return to the organization he left on Halloween only adds to the instability of the front office. Job titles and press conference-comments are irrelevant.

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Behind the scenes, who’s really running the show?

For most members of the Nation, it’d be difficult to be disappointed with the former general manager’s decision to take another swing for the Sox. He possesses a marvelous baseball mind.

I, however, can’t help but look at this latest plot twist in Boston’s hot stove season with skepticism – and sadness for fear of the damage Theo has done to his reputation.

Certainly, I hope to be wrong. But this reconciliation between Boston’s brass and the boy wonder drastically reduced the leverage Epstein amassed in the court of public opinion.

When he walked away from a multi-million-dollar offer, Epstein was applauded by the public.

He couldn’t be bought, made to enforce an organizational philosophy with which he didn’t agree. He couldn’t be forced to work for a company where inside information was leaked to the media too frequently.

Theo Epstein walked away on principle. He did the unthinkable.

Leaving one of baseball’s most glamorous clubs – the decision to resign from his supposed dream job – endeared Theo to fans.

Count me among the individuals who fought for the first spot in a fictitious line formed to shake Epstein’s hand.

The praise Theo received from the public was second only to the homage paid for assembling Boston’s first World Series-winner in 86 seasons. The 32-year-old with the intestinal fortitude to trade the face of the franchise for a championship had the stomach to separate himself from the Sox.

Whether true or false, Theo Epstein was the ultimate good guy. Fair or unfair, team president Larry Lucchino bore the brunt of Red Sox Nation’s wrath for the inability to ensure the Sox would retain Epstein’s services.

Now, Epstein deserves as much of the blame as the management team he bid farewell nearly three months ago. But truthfully, Epstein has deserved as much blame, if not more, since Oct. 31.

The day he resigned from the Red Sox, Theo Epstein never should’ve looked back. He never should’ve left the door open for the possibility of a return. He didn’t agree with any number of internal issues and his initial actions underscored that displeasure.

But allowing himself to remain in the shadows as it relates to the Red Sox redefined Epstein as a shady character.

It would be one thing if the organization’s internal problems that prompted Epstein’s departure were solved and the philosophy of the franchise reworked.

To the best of my knowledge, however, nothing has changed. Besides, how much is likely to change in less than 12 weeks?

The only thing we know now that we didn’t know before is the following: Theo Epstein’s lofty principles, which placed him on a very high pedestal, appear to be quite shallow.