Larry Lucchino, the former Boston Red Sox president and CEO who helped end the team's 86-year World Series drought in 2004, dies at the age of 78

Larry Lucchino, the former president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox - who brought the team three World Series titles and ended 'The Curse of the Bambino' - died Tuesday at the age of 78. 

The franchise confirmed his death on Tuesday, sharing a statement from his family. A cause of death was not given. 

Lucchino, a three-time cancer survivor, served the Red Sox from 2002 to 2015, winning three World Series during his tenure. 

'We are heartbroken to share that our beloved brother and uncle, Lawrence Lucchino, passed away on April 2 surrounded by his family,' the statement read. 

'The Lucchino family wishes to thank his friends and caregivers who, over the past few months, have surrounded him with love, laughter, and happy memories.

'To us, Larry was an exceptional person who combined a Hall of Fame life as a Major League Baseball executive with his passion for helping those people most in need. 

'Taking charge of building Baltimore's Orioles Park at Camden Yards, San Diego's Petco Park, and Polar Park for the Worcester Red Sox, as well as his role in the Boston Red Sox's "reversing the curse" by winning the 2004 World Series, were exemplary accomplishments.'

Lucchino was treated for non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the Dana-Farber Institute in the mid-1980s and was later treated for prostate caner in 1999 and kidney cancer in 2019. 

In 2016, he was appointed chairman of The Jimmy Fund - established in 1948 to benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's cancer care and research. 

'Equally important to Larry was the establishment of a first-of-its-kind in professional sports 'San Diego Padres Scholars' college scholarship program, co-founding the Boston Red Sox Foundation, and being Chairman of the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's grassroots effort to help save lives and give hope to cancer patients everywhere,' the family's statement added.

'He brought the same passion, tenacity, and probing intelligence to all his endeavors, and his achievements speak for themselves.'

Lucchino served in his position as CEO and president of the Red Sox from 2002-2015, joining the organization alongside Tom Werner as part of John W Henry's ownership group. 

The consortium delivered Boston its first World Series title since 1918 when the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 - just two years after taking charge.

The Red Sox went on to win two more championships under Lucchino in 2007 and 2013 before he stepped down. 

In 2015, he joined a group that bought the Worcester Red Sox, a Triple-A franchise, becoming chairman and principal owner. 

Lucchino was named president and CEO emeritus for the Red Sox in 2016. 

His career in the majors began long before his arrival in Boston with Lucchino also acting as president of the Baltimore Orioles from 1988 to 1993 and president and CEO  of the San Diego Padres from 1995-2001. 

A statement from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred read, 'Larry Lucchino was one of the most accomplished executives that our industry has ever had. He was deeply driven, he understood baseball's place in our communities, and he had a keen eye for executive talent.

'Larry's vision for Camden Yards played a vital role in advancing fan-friendly ballparks across the game. He followed up by overseeing the construction of Petco Park, which remains a jewel of the San Diego community.

'Then Larry teamed with John Henry and Tom Werner to produce the most successful era in Red Sox history, which included historic World Series Championships on the field and a renewed commitment to Fenway Park.

'On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my condolences to Larry's family, his Red Sox colleagues and his many friends throughout our National Pastime.'

Other tributes came from the Baltimore Orioles organization, who called him 'a pioneer in the sport' and said they'd be 'forever grateful for his impact on our organization.'

Former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine also offered his condolences, saying, 'If anyone deserves to be in the Hall of Fame it's Larry.'

Team owner John Henry wrote, '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 concluded: 'He was truly irreplaceable and will be missed by all of us at the Red Sox.'

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said, 'Larry was more decorated in sports than any of us [when Lucchino, Werner, and Henry joined forces in 2001], 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... We are devastated by the loss of a great man, a great leader, and a great friend.'

In addition to his work in baseball, Lucchino served on the board of directors for the Washington Redskins for six years and oversaw the team win Super Bowl XVII. 

Tuesday happens to be Opening Day for the Worcester Red Sox - the team Lucchino helped move from Pawtucket, Rhode Island and into a modern facility roughly 50 minutes west of Fenway Park.