Larry Lucchino, the former Boston Red Sox president and CEO, died Tuesday at age 78.
Lucchino oversaw three World Series titles during his tenure with the Red Sox (2004, 2007, 2013), which began upon purchase of the team by the ownership group headed by John Henry and Tom Werner in February 2002. He stepped down from his position in 2015.
Lucchino then joined a group that bought the Worcester Red Sox, becoming the chairman and principal owner of the Triple-A team.
As CEO of Boston, Lucchino coined the term “Evil Empire” when referring to George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees during an interview with The New York Times. He also served as president/CEO of the Baltimore Orioles (1989-93) and San Diego Padres (1995-2001).
“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,” Henry said in a statement. “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.”
Larry Lucchino’s passing is heartbreaking for so many. He changed sports with Janet Marie Smith Camden Yards. He saved Fenway and the Fens, and brought Theo Epstein with him. Look what he’s done for Worcester. Brilliant, emotional.
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) April 2, 2024
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred also released a statement on Tuesday about Lucchino’s passing.
“Larry Lucchino was one of the most accomplished executives that our industry has ever had. He was deeply driven, he understood baseball’s place in our communities, and he had a keen eye for executive talent.
“Larry’s vision for Camden Yards played a vital role in advancing fan-friendly ballparks across the game. He followed up by overseeing the construction of Petco Park, which remains a jewel of the San Diego community. Then Larry teamed with John Henry and Tom Werner to produce the most successful era in Red Sox history, which included historic World Series championships on the field and a renewed commitment to Fenway Park.”
Lucchino’s family said that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Larry Lucchino Family Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.
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