Sam Kennedy to Become Red Sox President: Latest Comments, Reaction

The Boston Red Sox announced Sunday that Sam Kennedy, the team's chief operating officer, will be taking over as club president on Oct. 16. He'll inherit the position from Larry Lucchino, who will remain with the franchise as the president/CEO emeritus and as part of the ownership group.

"Since 2012, we have known that it would be a natural transition for Sam to succeed Larry when he was ready to relinquish the reins," the team's principal owner, John W. Henry, said via press release. "[Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner] and I feel fortunate that there is an obvious and strong successor within our organization."

The transition from Lucchino to Kennedy hasn't been a secret, as Lucchino announced in early August that he would resign as president of the team after this season, tipping Kennedy as his successor, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. 

And Kennedy isn't taking his new role lightly.

"I understand what a privilege it is to work for the Boston Red Sox having grown up just a mile from Fenway Park," Kennedy said. "I fully embrace the responsibility that comes with this opportunity."

He'll also need to embrace the big shoes he's attempting to fill. In Lucchino's tenure as president, the Red Sox won three World Series titles and continued to be one of the most popular teams in baseball. 

Kennedy is inheriting a team that is currently in last place in the AL East, which would be Boston's third such finish in the last four seasons. However, with a young core featuring Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr., the club will be hoping that Kennedy can guide it to another period of prosperity, much like his predecessor.