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David Ortiz, Theo Epstein, and other noteworthy Red Sox remember Larry Lucchino
"When you talked to Larry and understood what the Red Sox meant to him, you got the memo: win.”
Tributes continue to pour in from Red Sox legends and other MLB dignitaries following the news of former Red Sox president and CEO’s Larry Lucchino’s death on Tuesday.
Lucchino, who played a pivotal role in steering the Red Sox toward its first World Series title in 86 years, was 78. Part of the ownership group that bought the Red Sox in 2002, he served as Red Sox president and CEO from 2002 to 2015 — overseeing three championships over that stretch.
Lucchino also served as chairman of the Worcester Red Sox and The Jimmy Fund, and left a lasting legacy with his prior MLB stops in the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres by spearheading the development of their lauded ballparks — Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Petco Park — during his respective tenures there.
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On Tuesday afternoon, several former and current Red Sox paid tribute to Lucchino and his lasting impact with the organization:
David Ortiz
“Larry Lucchino was someone who really cared about the Red Sox doing well. When I first joined the organization, he was just the business guy who dealt with the agent. As a player, it was sometimes hard to understand where he was coming from, but he made everything about winning and the organization doing well. Once we got to know each other better, we became really good friends. I loved Larry.
“He supported me and always gave me really good advice. Our relationship kept getting better and better. It is so sad to see him go, and I send my condolences to his family and all who loved him. He knew how to put the pieces together. When you talked to Larry and understood what the Red Sox meant to him, you got the memo: win.”
Theo Epstein
“Larry leaves behind a giant baseball legacy full of historic accomplishments with three different organizations. For me and for so many of my best friends in baseball, Larry gave us our start, believing in us and setting an enduring example with his work ethic, vision, competitiveness and fearlessness. He made a profound impact on many in baseball — and on the game itself — and will be missed.”
Pedro Martinez
“My heart goes out to the Lucchino family. They lost not only a great man, but a visionary with the biggest heart, even though he tried to cover it playing shy and trying to hide away from people’s eyes…but not me; he didn’t fool me. We just lost a dear friend and we’re all sad about it. I will miss you my dear friend. R.I.P Larry.”
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Dustin Pedroia
“Larry was a winner. Didn’t matter if it was a contract negotiation, saving Fenway, asking players what we need to compete. Larry was going to work until the job was finished. He had a presence and an attitude that wouldn’t be denied. He was a tone setter for our organization.”
Alex Cora
“Larry was a visionary. He saw things before they happened, taking the fan experience to the next level in every city he worked. And he won. He was a relentless winner. Larry led a great life and impacted so many of us. I’m thankful to have had him as a part of my life.”
Craig Breslow
“Larry Lucchino leaves a lasting impact on the Boston Red Sox and on Major League Baseball. As an executive, he was a visionary – someone who saw our great game not just for what it was, but what it could be for each other and for our communities. As a humanitarian, he was a champion for causes like the Jimmy Fund and the Red Sox Foundation. All the while he maintained an incredible balance of discipline, fervor, and compassion.”
Jason Varitek
“Red Sox Nation lost a legend today. Larry was larger than life and loved to win, something that drive his teams to do the same. It was an honor to play for him, know and learn from him, and to see his visions brought to life. The mark that he has left on the Red Sox, on baseball, will never be forgotten.”
John Henry, Red Sox Principal Owner
“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. 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.
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“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.”
Tom Werner, Red Sox Chairman
“When John and I joined forces with Larry in 2001, we dreamed not only of breaking an 86-year curse and winning multiple Championships, but also about how a baseball team could transform and uplift a region. Larry was more decorated in sports than any of us, coming to the group with a Super Bowl ring, a World Series ring, and even a Final Four watch from his days playing basketball at Princeton.
“He added to that impressive collection with us in Boston because he was the kind of man who would find a path to success no matter the obstacles. He was bold and had the audacity to dare, challenge, and even taunt our rivals in ways that made the game of baseball better.
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“In a sport defined by statistics and standings, he was accomplished in every way, and while his career is a masterclass in leadership and innovation, he will be equally remembered for his unwavering commitment to community engagement and his hands-on role with the Red Sox Foundation and The Jimmy Fund. We are devasted by the loss of a great man, a great leader, and a great friend.”
Sam Kennedy, Red Sox President & CEO
“There are so many of us who were given our start in baseball by Larry. He loved a good slogan and his campaign to ‘free the Brookline two’ liberated Theo and I from the San Diego Padres, allowing us to work for our hometown team and changing the trajectory of our lives forever. He instilled in us, and so many others, a work ethic, passion, competitive fire that we will carry forever.
“His legacy is one that all of us who were taught by him feel a deep responsibility to uphold. When those he mentored moved on from the Red Sox, he would always say ‘we’ll leave a light on for you.’ The lights will always be on for you at Fenway Park, Larry. May you rest in peace.”
Ben Cherington, former Red Sox GM
“I’m very sad to hear the news about Larry. He won more fights than most of us will ever know and I know he fought this last one with the same determination he brought to everything. I was fortunate to work with and learn from Larry for over a decade. His arrival in Boston was a critical spark behind the transformation of the team. Larry often said ‘good fortune favors the bold’ and during a lifetime of bold decisions he helped a lot of us toward good fortune. RIP Larry.”
Charles Steinberg, WooSox President
“Boss, coach, mentor, friend – how do you thank someone for a life and a lifetime? I enjoyed a 45-year relationship with Larry in Baltimore, San Diego, Boston, Pawtucket, and Worcester. As one who worked for both men, I can tell you that from my perspective, Larry Lucchino was Earl Weaver in a suit – with a better vocabulary.”
Jonathan Gilula, Red Sox EVP/Chief Operating Officer
“I am so grateful for the 26-year relationship I enjoyed with Larry as he made such an incredible impact on my life as boss, mentor and most importantly, friend. Larry had the rare ability to see the big picture while masterfully demonstrating a meticulous attention to detail that truly defined his brilliance. ‘Do no harm’ was more than a mantra that he used regularly; it was a guiding principle that infused every aspect of our work together both with the Padres and Red Sox, particularly in the monumental task of preserving and enhancing Fenway Park.
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“His vision, work ethic, intellectual curiosity and competitiveness were unmatched and will continue to inspire me and so many others to strive for excellence. I am feeling his loss deeply, a testament to the profound impact he had on all who knew him.”
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