Former Red Sox president Larry Lucchino dies at 78
Larry Lucchino, longtime baseball executive and former president of the Boston Red Sox, has died. He was 78 years old.
After a career as a lawyer, Lucchino became the president of the Baltimore Orioles in 1988. He later became president and CEO of the San Diego Padres in 1995. When John Henry bought the Red Sox prior to the 2002 season, he hired Lucchino in the same role.
In Boston, Lucchino was part of the leadership group that helped guide the franchise to three World Series titles in 2004, 2007, and 2013. He was behind the hiring of Theo Epstein as the Red Sox’s general manager, having worked with him in Baltimore and San Diego. He stepped down after the 2015 season, and was named president and CEO emeritus of Fenway Sports Group.
Lucchino later led a group in purchasing the then-Pawtucket Red Sox – Boston’s Triple-A affiliate – in 2015, and was instrumental in moving the franchise to Worcester in 2021. He later served as the chairman of the organization.
A non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, Lucchino was named the Chairman of the Jimmy Fund in 2016. He also worked with the Special Olympics on the board of directors.
In addition to the Red Sox Hall of Fame, Lucchino is also a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (he grew up in Pittsburgh) and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.