BOSTON – Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein says he understands the ballclub’s culture better now than he did when he first arrived in Chicago.

“I think we all recognized we had a building process. We’ve been transparent about that,” he said Friday night before a charity event at Fenway Park. “At the same time, we realize that every season is precious. Everyone wants to win. It kind of reminds me of my first year in Boston. ... When we first got here, there was the burden of the ‘curse.’ ”

Epstein was the youngest general manager in baseball history when he took over the Red Sox in the winter after the 2002 season. Two years later, he was drenched in champagne as the architect of Boston’s first World Series champions in 86 years. (And, three years later, they won again.)