Larry Lucchino, former president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, who gave the team three World Series titles and ended ‘The Curse of the Bambino,’ died Tuesday at the age of 78.
The franchise confirmed his death on Tuesday, sharing a statement from his family. No cause of death was provided.
Lucchino, a three-time cancer survivor, served the Red Sox from 2002 to 2015, winning three World Series during his tenure.
“We are heartbroken to share that our beloved brother and uncle, Lawrence Lucchino, passed away on April 2 surrounded by his family,” the statement read.
‘The Lucchino family would like to thank his friends and caregivers who, over the past few months, have surrounded him with love, laughter and happy memories.
Larry Lucchino, former president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, has died at the age of 78.
Lucchino (left) was president when the Red Sox ended their 86-year championship drought.
The former CEO is pictured with current President Sam Kennedy (L) and former player David Ortiz (R) following a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park in August 2023.
‘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 people in need.
‘Taking charge of the construction of the Baltimore 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 Red Sox’s “reversal of the curse” of Boston winning the 2004 World Series, were exemplary. achievements.”
Lucchino was treated for non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the Dana-Farber Institute in the mid-1980s and was later treated for prostate cancer in 1999 and kidney cancer in 2019.
In 2016, he was named president of The Jimmy Fund, established in 1948 to benefit cancer care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
‘Equally important to Larry was the establishment of the ‘San Diego Padres Scholars’ college scholarship program, the first of its kind in professional sports, co-founding the Boston Red Sox Foundation and chairing the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber. “The Cancer Institute’s grassroots effort to help save lives and give hope to cancer patients everywhere,” the family added in their statement.
“He brought the same passion, tenacity and inquisitive intelligence to all of his endeavors, and his accomplishments speak for themselves.”
Lucchino served as CEO and president of the Red Sox from 2002 to 2015, joining the organization along with Tom Werner as part of the John W Henry ownership group.
The partnership gave Boston its first World Series title since 1918, when the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004, just two years after taking over.
Lucchino in 2022 – speaking during his Padres Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Lucchino (center) throws out the first pitch at a Red Sox Hall of Fame ceremony in 2016
The Red Sox won two more championships under Lucchino in 2007 and 2013 before he resigned.
In 2015, he joined a group that purchased the Worcester Red Sox, a Triple-A franchise, becoming president and principal owner.
Lucchino was named president and CEO emeritus of the Red Sox in 2016.
His major league career began long before his arrival in Boston, with Lucchino also serving as president of the Baltimore Orioles from 1988 to 1993 and president and CEO of the San Diego Padres from 1995 to 2001.
A statement from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said: “Larry Lucchino was one of the most successful executives our industry has ever had.” He was deeply motivated, understood baseball’s place in our communities and had a keen eye for executive talent.
‘Larry’s vision for Camden Yards played a vital role in advancing fan-friendly stadiums throughout the game. He then oversaw the construction of Petco Park, which remains a gem of the San Diego community.
Lucchino is honored before his final game as president of the Red Sox in September 2015.
‘Larry then 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.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Larry’s family, his Red Sox colleagues and his many friends throughout our national pastime.”
Other tributes came from the Baltimore Orioles organization, who called him “a pioneer in the sport” and said they would be “forever grateful for his impact on our organization.”
Former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine also offered his condolences, saying, “If anyone deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, it’s Larry.”
(Left to right): Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, president Tom Werner and Lucchino
Team owner John Henry wrote: “Larry’s career unfolded like a playbook of triumphs, marked by transformative moments that reshaped stadium design, enhanced the fan experience and created ideal conditions for championships everywhere.” his path led him, and especially in Boston.
Henry concluded: “He was truly irreplaceable and will be missed by all of us at the Red Sox.”
Red Sox president Tom Werner said: “Larry was more decorated in sports than any of us (when Lucchino, Werner and Henry joined forces in 2001), coming to the group with a Super Bowl ring, a World Series and even a Final Four watch from his days playing basketball at Princeton.
‘He added to that impressive collection we had with us in Boston because he was the kind of man who would find a path to success no matter the obstacles… We are devastated by the loss of a great man, a great leader and a great friend.’
In addition to his work in baseball, Lucchino served on the Washington Redskins board of directors for six years and oversaw the team’s victory in Super Bowl XVII.
Tuesday is opening day for the Worcester Red Sox — the team Lucchino helped move from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to a state-of-the-art facility about 50 minutes west of Fenway Park.