Source: Liverpool_Echo
How the Boston Red Sox blossomed under New England Sports Venture's ownership
THE trio of men who together have an ownership stake in the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise - John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino - are widely regarded as some of the best in their position in all of America's major league sports.[LNB]They took over the ownership of the Red Sox in 2002 at a time when the team, although reasonably successful in its own division, was still without a World Series crown for the best part of 90 years.[LNB]However, with the new management team in place, the Red Sox looked to revive their fortunes. After coming agonisingly close in 2003 to reaching the World Series when they lost out in the American League Championship Series to hated foes the New York Yankees, it all turned for the better one year later.[LNB]The owners signed much-regarded former Philadelphia Phillies manager Terry Francona to lead the team and in 2004, the Red Sox went on to win it all.[LNB] The management certainly showed they meant business that year when on trade deadline day, July 31, they completed some deals that were to have profound implications later in the season.
