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.
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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.
The Red Sox issued the following statement on behalf of the Lucchino family:
“We are heartbroken to share that our beloved brother and uncle, Lawrence Lucchino, passed away on April 2 surrounded by his family. The Lucchino family wishes to thank his friends and caregivers who, over the past few months, have surrounded him with love, laughter, and happy memories.
“To us, Larry was an exceptional person who combined a Hall of Fame life as a Major League Baseball executive with his passion for helping those people most in need. Taking charge of building Baltimore’s Orioles Park at Camden Yards, San Diego’s Petco Park, and Polar Park for the Worcester Red Sox, as well as his role in the Boston Red Sox’s “reversing the curse” by winning the 2004 World Series, were exemplary accomplishments. Equally important to Larry was the establishment of a first-of-its-kind in professional sports “San Diego Padres Scholars” college scholarship program, co-founding the Boston Red Sox Foundation, and being Chairman of the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s grassroots effort to help save lives and give hope to cancer patients everywhere. He brought the same passion, tenacity, and probing intelligence to all his endeavors, and his achievements speak for themselves.”
The Red Sox also released the following statements from Henry, Tom Werner and Sam Kennedy:
“Larry’s career unfolded like a playbook of triumphs, marked by transformative moments that reshaped ballpark design, enhanced the fan experience, and engineered the ideal conditions for championships wherever his path led him, and especially in Boston,” said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry. “Yet, perhaps his most enduring legacy lies in the remarkable people he helped assemble at the Red Sox, all of whom are a testament to his training, wisdom, and mentorship. Many of them continue to shape the organization today, carrying forward the same vigor, vitality, and cherished sayings that were hallmarks of Larry’s personality. Larry was a formidable opponent in any arena, and while he battled hard, he always maintained the utmost respect for a worthy adversary and found genuine joy in sparring with people. I was lucky enough to have had him in my corner for 14 years and to have called him a close friend for even longer. He was truly irreplaceable and will be missed by all of us at the Red Sox.”
“When John and I joined forces with Larry in 2001, we dreamed not only of breaking an 86-year curse and winning multiple Championships, but also about how a baseball team could transform and uplift a region,” said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. “Larry was more decorated in sports than any of us, coming to the group with a Super Bowl ring, a World Series ring, and even a Final Four watch from his days playing basketball at Princeton. He added to that impressive collection with us in Boston because he was the kind of man who would find a path to success no matter the obstacles. He was bold and had the audacity to dare, challenge, and even taunt our rivals in ways that made the game of baseball better. In a sport defined by statistics and standings, he was accomplished in every way, and while his career is a masterclass in leadership and innovation, he will be equally remembered for his unwavering commitment to community engagement and his hands-on role with the Red Sox Foundation and The Jimmy Fund. We are devasted by the loss of a great man, a great leader, and a great friend.”
“There are so many of us who were given our start in baseball by Larry,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “He loved a good slogan and his campaign to ‘free the Brookline two’ liberated Theo and I from the San Diego Padres, allowing us to work for our hometown team and changing the trajectory of our lives forever. He instilled in us, and so many others, a work ethic, passion, competitive fire that we will carry forever. His legacy is one that all of us who were taught by him feel a deep responsibility to uphold. When those he mentored moved on from the Red Sox, he would always say ‘we’ll leave a light on for you.’ The lights will always be on for you at Fenway Park, Larry. May you rest in peace.”