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Red Sox Hall of Fame: Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield enshrined

By Sean Penney

May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees (L to R) Jason Varitek, Larry Lucchino and Tim Wakefield throw out the first pitch before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees (L to R) Jason Varitek, Larry Lucchino and Tim Wakefield throw out the first pitch before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee Larry Lucchino waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch with fellow inductees Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield (not pictured) before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee Larry Lucchino waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch with fellow inductees Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield (not pictured) before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Larry Lucchino

Lucchino served as the Boston Red Sox President/CEO for 14 years, during which time the team made the playoffs seven times and won three World Series titles.

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The Red Sox had a string of 820 consecutive sellouts at Fenway Park during his tenure and he was instrumental in renovating one of the most beloved ballparks in baseball. While others pushed to tear down the park and build a more modern stadium, Lucchino was part of the group that fought to preserve Fenway by upgrading it and adding additional seating – including the most unique seats in baseball on top of the Green Monster in left field.

While John Henry is the principal owner of the Red Sox, Lucchino was considered the face of the ownership group during his tenure with the team. He was the most outspoken of the group and is the one that infamously referred to the Yankees as the “Evil Empire.”

Many of his greatest accomplishments have been made outside of baseball. Lucchino helped establish the Red Sox Foundation and increased the team’s commitment to the Jimmy Fund.

Lucchino did a lot of great things for this franchise, but he’s also associated with a few low points. He had a tendency to meddle with the decisions of the front office and is responsible for the disastrous Bobby Valentine hiring in 2012 and the embarrassing low-ball negotiations with Jon Lester in 2014.

Not every moment can be a highlight and Lucchino certainly had his flaws, but he did far more good than bad for this organization. Lucchino stepped down from his position in 2015, but remains active as a valuable resource.

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