Lou Gorman: 1929-2011

My deepest sympathies to family and friends of Lou Gorman, the former Red Sox general manager who passed away today at the age of 82.

He will long be remembered as the architect of the team that came within one out of the World Series championship in 1986. He had previously worked with the Mets, Orioles, Royals and Mariners before becoming Red Sox as GM in 1984, a post he held until 1993, when he was succeeded by Dan Duquette.

He was also a gentleman, and was a beloved figure around the Red Sox long after he left as GM.

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Gorman by phone a few years ago in an interview about his book "One Pitch From Glory: A Decade of Running the Red Sox." He was a very amiable man to talk with. But boy was he animated when I brought up the Jeff Bagwell trade! He laid out in vivid detail why he made it, and would do it again. (BTW, the book is very good, and he has some eye-opening things to say about the 1986 World Series loss. Definitely pick it up if you get the chance.)

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Gorman.