Better late than never by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino responds to the "advice" that I gave him in 2007


We're about to hop in the way, way back machine, so buckle up.

I’m gonna take you back to the summer of 2007 when the Red Sox had a stranglehold on first place in the American League East, Sox fans were being thrilled by the newly-arrived Jacoby Ellsbury, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz were crushing homers, Dustin Pedroia was introducing Boston fans to the "Laser Show", Mikey Lowell was putting up MVP numbers, and Josh Beckett was pleading his case for the Cy Young Award.

Oh, and the Red Sox had an election for President of Red Sox Nation.

Back in that summer of 2007, I threw my hat in the ring for those who were competing for the king’s chair in Red Sox Nation, and although I won’t go into detail about it here (you can check out my book for that), I do recall having to make a speech at the "Meet the Candidates" night to plead my case for the position.

In attendance that night was none other than President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, Mr. Larry Lucchino. Before I went up on stage to make my speech, the MC that night was former NESN sideline reporter, Hazel Mae, who read an excerpt from my Red Sox Nation Presidential platform.

Part of the platform asked what advice I would give the Red Sox ownership group, to which I addressed them as a whole, but then I took time to address Lucchino personally.

"Also, as advise to Larry Lucchino personally, I heard his name being mentioned in talks of one day becoming Commissioner of Major League Baseball. My advice to him would be to pursue that position because I feel that he would be a perfect fit as Commissioner. What he has done for the Red Sox in recent years has changed the franchise for the better and has made us as fans extremely happy and pleased with what he has done. If he can have the same effect on the entire game of baseball then baseball has an exceedingly bright future."

I don't know very many multi-millionaires who run multi-million dollar businesses that take advice from a 18-year-old kids fresh out of high school, but that was mine to Mr. Lucchino back in 2007.

The reason I'm re-telling this story is because a few days ago, I saw a post on Boston.com’s Extra Bases titled, "Commissioner Lucchino?"

In it, Lucchino commented on the speculation of his name being among those who might be suitable to replace current baseball commissioner, Bud Selig, who has said that he has plans to retire after the 2012 baseball season.

"The speculation, uncomfortable as it's been, is flattering. But I’m really very content where I am," said Lucchino. "If you're a baseball executive, this is the best place to be. I love Boston, New England. My family loves it. It seems the rest of my career was sort of building up so this could be the final stage of it."

Now years removed from what I said in 2007, I still stick by my feeling that Lucchino would make an excellent commissioner of baseball. Although I want what’s best for the game of baseball, I would hate to see Lucchino, or any of the current members of the ownership group, part ways with the Red Sox franchise.

Here in 2011, it sounds like Lucchino is here to stay. Plus, if he were commissioner, he wouldn't have time to keep up with SoxSpace, so I approve his decision to remain in Boston.

-Jared Carrabis

Published on February 22, 2011

---

Tweet