SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)-- Larry Lucchino, the former president of the
San Diego Padres who spearheaded the development of Petco Park, died on Tuesday. He was 78 years of ages.
The
Pittsburgh native reportedly experienced cancer, although a precise cause of death has actually not been revealed.
" We are heartbroken to share that our cherished sibling and uncle, Lawrence Lucchino, passed away on April 2 surrounded by his family. The Lucchino family wants to thank his pals and caregivers who, over the past couple of months, have actually surrounded him with love, laughter, and pleased memories," the executive's household stated in a statement shared by the
Boston Red Sox.
Lucchino commanded the Padres as president between 1995 and 2001-- a period in which the Padres made numerous runs in the playoffs, consisting of a journey to the 1998 World Series. He was likewise important in the vote to authorize building and construction of the city's crown-jewel arena Petco Park.
In 2022, Lucchino was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame by owner Peter Seidler, who similarly passed away last year after a fight with cancer.
SAN DIEGO, CA – – JULY 7: Former
San Diego Padres president and CEO Larry Lucchino shakes hands with Padres Chairman Peter Seidler during Lucchinos induction ceremony into the Padres Hall of Fame before the video game against the
San Francisco Giants on July 7, 2022 at Petco Park in
San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/
San Diego Padres/Getty Images).
Outside the Padres, Lucchino functioned as group president for the
Baltimore Orioles from 1988 to 1993 and more recently, the
Boston Red Sox from 2005 to his retirement in 2015.
Throughout his period with the Red Sox, the group "reversed the curse" with 3 World Series wins after a decades-long dry spell. With the Orioles, he led the charge to develop
Baltimore's Oriole Stadium in Camden Yards.
Charitable contributions were likewise a major part of his time an MLB executive. As Padres president, Lucchino established a first-of-its-kind scholarship program for rising university student called the
San Diego Padres Scholars. With the Red Sox, he assisted co-found the
Boston Red Sox Foundation, benefitting community initiatives.
In his personal time, he also worked as chairman of the Jimmy Fund, which raises money for patients at
Boston's Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
A professional athlete himself, Lucchino played on the Princeton basketball group that reached the NCAA Final Four in 1965. He went on to participate in Yale Law School before he found himself dealing with legal representative Edward Bennett Williams' sports groups, the
Washington NFL franchise and the Orioles.
" To us, Larry was a remarkable individual who integrated a Hall of Fame life as a Major League Baseball executive with his passion for those people most in need," his family continued. "He brought the same passion, tenacity, and penetrating intelligence to all of his undertakings, and his achievements promote themselves.".
In a statement, MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred, Jr. explained Lucchino as "one of the most accomplished executives" the league has actually ever had.
" He was deeply driven, he comprehended baseball's location in our communities, and he had an eager eye for executive skill," Manfred said. "On behalf of Major League baseball, I send my condolences to Larry's family, his Red Sox associates and his lots of pals throughout our National Pastime.".
This is a developing story. Inspect back for updates.
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