The man who helped architect the Boston Red Sox run of four World Series championships over a 14-year run from 2004 through 2018, has passed away.
Larry Lucchino, the former president and Chief Executive Officer of the storied franchise, has died at age 78 “peacefully” this morning.
He had served with the Red Sox from 2002-2015, helping the franchise overcome “The Curse of the Bambino,” an 86-year drought, by winning three titles in 2004, 2007 and 2013.
He left the team in 2015 and joined a group that bought the Red Sox AAA affiliate in Pawtucket, R.I., later moving it to Worcester in 2021.
He became the new majority owner of the WooSox last December.
Over his time with the Red Sox he was noted for his philanthropy, serving as chairman of the team’s top charity, the Jimmy Fund. He was also a big player and organizer for the New England Special Olympics.
Lucchino’s resume in baseball, though, started well before his successful run in Boston. He was also president of the Baltimore Orioles for five years, from 1988-1993, and then president and CEO of the San Diego Padres from 1995-2001.
He came to Boston in 2002 with the new ownership group, led by John Henry. He later brought along Theo Epstein as an assistant and then after that first season in Boston elevated him to General Manager at age 28.
Lucchino was known for having initiated the trend of building baseball-only facilities with an old-fashioned charm and smaller seating capacities.
He was part of building two baseball stadiums in Baltimore and San Diego – Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Petco Park.
Other MLB teams followed Lucchino’s lead and tried to replicate what his franchises built in Baltimore and San Diego.
But in Boston, Lucchino was part of history. Not only helping refurbish Fenway Park, acquiring land around the park and adding to the seat capacity, but he was a key component on bringing a winner to Boston.
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.