Larry Lucchino, a legendary figure in Major League Baseball, passed away at the age of 78 on Tuesday. During his illustrious career, Lucchino held several leadership positions with various teams, including serving as team president for the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles, as well as president/CEO of the San Diego Padres.
Lucchino’s tenure with the Red Sox began in December 2001 when John Henry purchased the team. Under his leadership, the Red Sox would go on to win three World Series titles in 2004, 2007, and 2013, breaking an infamous curse that had haunted the franchise for over eight decades.
Throughout his time as team president, Lucchino made significant contributions to the Red Sox organization. He hired Theo Epstein as general manager, who led the team to seven postseason appearances. Additionally, he played a crucial role in elevating the rivalry between the Red Sox and New York Yankees by coining the term “Evil Empire” to describe their AL East opponents.
The legacy of Larry Lucchino will live on through his impact on baseball and beyond. Tom Werner, chairman of the Red Sox organization, praised Lucchino’s contributions to building a remarkable team at Fenway Park and highlighted his enduring impact on baseball. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also recognized Lucchino’s achievements and honored him as one of the most accomplished executives in baseball history.
In addition to his work with the Red Sox and Orioles, Lucchino was instrumental in developing two iconic ballparks: Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Petco Park in San Diego. His focus on modernizing Fenway Park while maintaining its historical features helped elevate it to new standards for classic ballparks.
As Larry Lucchino reflects on his time with various teams throughout his career, he described them all as “magic words” for any baseball executive due to their significance and heritage within baseball culture. His leadership and contributions left an indelible mark on each organization he worked with throughout his storied career in Major League Baseball.
