Buddy LeRoux
Buddy LeRoux | |
|---|---|
.jpg) LeRoux in January 1963 | |
| Born | Edward Guy LeRoux Jr. August 17, 1930 |
| Died | January 7, 2008 (aged 77) |
| Alma mater | Northeastern University |
| Occupation(s) | Major League Baseball team owner and executive |
| Years active | 1977–1987 |
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Edward Guy "Buddy" LeRoux Jr. (August 17, 1930 – January 7, 2008) was an American businessman, best known for his time as a general partner of the Boston Red Sox from May 1978 through March 1987.
Early life
A native of Woburn, Massachusetts, LeRoux graduated from Woburn Memorial High School and Northeastern University and was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He began his sporting career as an athletic trainer for the Boston Celtics (during their championship runs in the 1950s and 1960s), the Boston Bruins, and the Boston Red Sox (1966–1974). During the 1970s, he also began to flourish in the business world, successfully investing in real estate and a series of physical therapy and rehabilitation hospitals.
Boston Red Sox general partner
By 1977, LeRoux was wealthy enough to assemble a group of investors seeking to purchase the Red Sox from the estate of longtime owner Tom Yawkey, who had died in 1976. Yawkey's widow, Jean, had been owner and president during much of the 1976 season.
With the backing of
Takeover attempt
But LeRoux and his limited partners grew restive when the Red Sox fell from contention, and attendance at
In 1983, the Red Sox suffered their first losing season since 1966, and the rift among the ownership factions became public. On June 6, prior to a Monday night home game against the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox planned a special benefit for stricken former star outfielder Tony Conigliaro, who had been incapacitated at age 37 by a heart attack in January 1982. Conigliaro's old teammates from the 1967 "Impossible Dream" Red Sox assembled for a pre-game ceremony, and a crowd of nearly 24,000 gathered, one of the largest gates at Fenway Park since Opening Day.[3] Boston's television stations had crews in place to cover "Tony C Night."
Prior to the festivities, LeRoux called a press conference and announced that he and a majority of the team's limited partners, chiefly Badgett and Albert Curran, were exercising language in their partnership agreement to overthrow Sullivan and Yawkey and take command of the club.[4] He announced a "reorganization of internal management"[1] and appointed himself managing general partner, while bringing in former Red Sox general manager Dick O'Connell to replace Sullivan as head of baseball operations. Boston media immediately dubbed the gambit the "Coup LeRoux."[5]
Takeover failure
The two ousted general partners immediately filed suit against LeRoux, were granted an
In early June 1984, the legal fight ended with an appeals court ruling against LeRoux. He was removed as the team's executive vice president, administration, and his allies were purged from management. In late 1985, Jean Yawkey bought out Badgett, Curran and LeRoux's own limited partnership (which reportedly fetched $2 million). On March 30, 1987, Mrs. Yawkey acquired LeRoux's general partnership for a reported $7 million[7] to become majority general partner in the team.[8]
Later life
Following the failed takeover attempt, LeRoux largely faded from the public eye, although from 1986 to 1989 he did own Boston's
LeRoux died at age 77 on January 7, 2008, in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.[14] He was survived by his wife and three children.[14]
References
- ^ The Associated Press, 1983-06-07
- ^ Gammons, Peter (May 24, 1978). "Sox owners eye 6000 new seats". The Boston Globe. p. 47. Retrieved October 25, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "The 1983 Boston Red Sox Regular Season Game Log", Retrosheet
- ^ Wulf, Steve (June 20, 1983). "The Fight is Over the Red Sox, Not in Them". vault.si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
- ^ Gammons, Peter (July 4, 1984). "Sox gang up on Yankees". The Boston Globe. p. 29. Retrieved October 25, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ The New York Times, 1983-07-12
- ^ "LeRoux Sells His Share". Newsday. March 31, 1987. p. 93. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "LeRoux sells his share of Red Sox". The Boston Globe. March 31, 1987. p. 1. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Amalie Benjamin (2008-01-09). "Buddy LeRoux; was part owner of Sox, real estate baron; at 77". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ^ "Obit: Edward "Buddy" LeRoux Jr". Boston Herald. 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ^ "Obit: Edward "Buddy" LeRoux Jr". Boston Globe. 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ^ Skwar, Don (February 12, 1987). "LeRoux seeks Patriots". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Borges, Ron (March 18, 1987). "LeRoux out; Patriots in trouble?". The Boston Globe.
- ^ a b Benjamin, Amalie (January 9, 2008). "Buddy LeRoux; was part owner of Sox, real estate baron; at 77". The Boston Globe. p. D12. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
External links
- Obituary from The New York Times