Longtime Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) executive Mike Tamburro‘s contributions to the franchise were recognized this weekend, when he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame.
Currently the co-owner and vice chairman of the PawSox, Tamburro has a long and distinguished track record with the organization. After serving as an intern with the team in 1974, Tamburro spent the 1975 and 1976 seasons as the general manager of the Elmira Pioneers (Short Season A; NY-Penn League). He came back to the PawSox in 1977, and emerged as one of the key figures in turning around what had been a troubled franchise. Tamburro served as the club’s general manager from 1977-1984, before taking on the post of team president from 1985-2015.
Those contributions were recognized by the PawSox on Saturday, when he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. More from The Sun Chronicle:
Along the way, Tamburro’s dedication had a lot to do with that. Indeed, with the exception of longtime owner Ben Mondor, who died in 2010, no one played more of a role in the PawSox’ evolution from a bankrupt franchise that had been taken over by the International League into one of its best. The team went from drawing 70,000 in 1977, the first season for the Tamburro-Mondor pairing, to well over 600,000 from 2004 to 2009.
Tamburro, however, wasn’t just honored for his baseball knowledge and business acumen: He’s a tireless volunteer for charities, and started the Pawtucket Red Sox Charitable Foundation in 2000. “I think it’s incumbent on any successful person to try and lift up those in need. Ben and I were partners in this team, (and) philanthropy has always been an integral part,” he said during an interview.
PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino and Fall River Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tamburro is a living legend in PawSox history. He has owned, managed, directed, designed, steered and set the tone for the organization for over four decades. He has been a key part of its heart and soul,” Lucchino said.
Along with Tamburro, the PawSox recognized 1975 American League MVP winner and nine-time All-Star Fred Lynn with an enshrinement into their Hall of Fame. Both Tamburro and Lynn were inducted during Saturday’s ceremony at McCoy Stadium.