Long time baseball executive Larry Lucchino died from cancer at age 78:

He became CEO of the Red Sox upon purchase of the team by the ownership group headed by John Henry and Tom Werner in February 2002. Lucchino, who stepped down from his role in 2015, had a smaller financial stake. He previously served as president/CEO of the Baltimore Orioles (1989-93) and San Diego Padres (1995-2001).

Lucchino was with the Orioles when they won the World Series in 1983, he was Padres CEO when San Diego went to the World Series in 1998, and he presided over the 2004 World Series title that ended Boston’s 86-year drought, as well as subsequent championships in 2007 and 2013.

“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,” Henry said in a statement. “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.”

ESPN.com

My thoughts go out to his family and friends

There are a few executives in the history of baseball who had success follow them. Branch Rickey, Pat Gillick, and Dave Dombrowski come to mind. They built teams. Lucchino was particularly adept at building front offices that could build teams. That required an eye for a different kind of talent, and the modern front office owes much to Lucchino.