Former Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino passed away Tuesday at the age of 78.
Lucchino joined the Red Sox as president and CEO in Dec. 2001 when John Henry bought the team, and served in that role for 14 years until 2015.
He helped lay the foundation for three World Series winners in 2004, 2007 and 2013, including bringing Theo Epstein with him from the San Diego Padres and eventually promoting him to general manager. He was also a key part of the updating and transformation of Fenway Park.
After stepping down in 2015, Lucchino became president/CEO emeritus of Fenway Sports Group while continuing as chairman and co-owner of the Pawtucket Red Sox. He eventually oversaw the Triple-A team’s move to Worcester in 2021 and the construction of Polar Park.
Lucchino also became chairman of The Jimmy Fund in 2016, cementing a bond with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that had gone back decades, as he had been treated for cancer himself three times.
Prior to coming to Boston, Lucchino had served as president of the Baltimore Orioles from 1988-93 and president and CEO of the San Diego Padres from 1995-2001. He oversaw the design of both franchise’s new ballparks – Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Petco Park, respectively – launching the trend of baseball-only parks that were designed to have a more retro look and intimate feel.