Red Sox president/CEO emeritus Larry Lucchino is adding a new job that hits close to home: Chairman of the Jimmy Fund.
The announcement of Lucchino's appointment was made by the Jimmy Fund on Wednesday morning. Lucchino is obviously qualified from a business standpoint for this role, but he also has the perspective of a cancer survivor.
In 1985, while Lucchino was working with the Baltimore Orioles, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the age of 40. He chose Dana-Farber, which is affiliated with the Jimmy Fund, to receive his chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
"The opportunity to participate in the leadership of the Jimmy Fund is an honor and a duty," said Lucchino. "I want to deepen my connection with this remarkable organization which is on the front lines in the battle against cancer, and I am eager to expand the important work of raising awareness, more funds, and support to help us treat, research and conquer this miserable disease."
After stepping down as Red Sox president/CEO at the end of the 2015 season, Lucchino took on emeritus role with the club. He is also the chairman of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and is involved in trying to get a new stadium for the club.
Lucchino, who has always loved to stay busy, now has another job in which he can direct his energy.
The Jimmy Fund hasn't had a chairman since 2009, when former Red Sox second baseman Mike Andrews retired. Andrews served in the role for a quarter century.
Late, great Red Sox broadcaster Ken Coleman was the Jimmy Fund chairman from 1978-84.
According to a Jimmy Fund press release, "Lucchino will be the lead ambassador and public spokesperson for the Jimmy Fund to strengthen relationships with the corporate community and professional sports teams, to strategize on policy and fundraising initiatives, and to recognize the many passionate donors and event participants.
"Lucchino will help increase awareness of the importance of philanthropic support for Dana-Farber and highlight the breakthroughs and milestones Dana-Farber doctors and researchers have achieved toward finding cures and treatments for cancer as a result of Jimmy Fund support."
The Red Sox have worked with the Jimmy Fund since 1953, when Ted Williams became deeply involved. Carl Yastrzemski, Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn and Tim Wakefield are among several other prominent players who always made time to visit with Jimmy Fund patients. Brock Holt and Pablo Sandoval are this year's Red Sox co-captains for the Jimmy Fund.