John Harrington (Red Sox CEO)

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John Harrington is the former CEO of the Boston Red Sox.

[edit] Early life and career

He graduated from Boston College in 1957, and received his MBA from Boston College in 1966. After college, he as an officer in the U.S. Navy, then worked for both the General Accounting Office and NASA. He eventually became an accounting professor at BC until 1970, where he was hired by Joe Cronin, president of the American League, to be the league's controller.

[edit] Boston Red Sox

After Cronin retired, Harrington was hired by Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey as treasurer of the Sox. Yawkey died in 1976 and was eventually replaced by his wife Jean. Harrington left the team to work to work for the Governor Edward King of Massachusetts and then for a LLoyds of London Insurance affiliate. He eventually returned to become the CEO in 1981, after poor management had caused free agents Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk to sign with other teams.

[edit] As CEO of the Boston Red Sox

After Jean Yawkey's death in 1992, as trustee of the JRY Trust, Harrington arranged for the Trust to buy out the shares of managing partner Haywood Sullivan. He completely overhauled the front office, bringing in general manager Dan Duquette from the Montreal Expos. Under Harrington's leadership the team compiled one of the best records in baseball; The team won the ALCS in 1986; won the AL East in 1988, 1990 and 1995; and won the Wild Card in 1998 and 1999.

Harrington was instrumental in signing Pedro Martínez, Manny Ramírez, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Johnny Damon, Derek Lowe and other stars. Harrington built a new spring training facility in Fort Meyers and created and developed the New England Sports Network. He was responsible for bringing the All-Star Game to Fenway Park in 1999. He also played key roles within Major League Baseball. He was the lead negotiator for baseball owner's during the strike of 1994, and led the development of both interleague play and the creation of the Wild Card playoff format.

[edit] Post-Red Sox life

He is currently Chairman of the Yawkey Foundations.

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