Boston Red Sox team president Sam Kennedy recently chatted with WEEI’s Rob Bradford on the “Bradfo Sho” podcast and touched on a number of pertinent topics, including this year’s team and the success the organization has had under its current ownership group.
While discussing Boston’s offseason pursuit of two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, who ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Angels, Kennedy talked extensively about the Red Sox’s recruiting pitch and how different it is to woo players in free agency versus acquiring them via the draft or trades. Often, one needs to pull out all the stops. And sometimes, that includes calling upon other Boston sports teams.
Kennedy, who’s been with the Red Sox since 2002 and in his current role since 2017, couldn’t help but think back to when the club signed closer Keith Foulke before the 2004 season. In hindsight, Kennedy later admitted, it’s probably the most memorable free agent recruiting pitch he’s been a part of.
“I do remember going to a Bruins game with (former Red Sox general manager) Theo (Epstein) and Keith Foulke way back in the day,” Kennedy told Bradford. “You never know what’s going to appeal to potential free agents or player. It’s very rare that we find ourselves in that sort of recruiting mode. You’re usually drafting or trading for a player, but when you have that opportunity, you really want to aggressively recruit.
“In the case of Keith Foulke, we took him to a Bruins game, we had Bobby Orr call him, which was huge. Imagine being a huge hockey fan and getting a call from the great Bobby Orr. We try to pull out all the stops. And sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Kennedy, like Foulke, is a huge hockey fan, which would explain why that particular recruiting pitch is so memorable. (It’s Bobby freaking Orr!) But Foulke subsequently playing an important role in the Red Sox’s 2004 World Series win probably makes it even more satisfying in hindsight.
That said, the Red Sox’s pitch to starter David Price also stands out in Kennedy’s mind. Kennedy and other members of Boston’s front office traveled to Nashville, paving the way for the left-hander to sign a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Red Sox before the 2016 season.
“Dinner at The Southern in Nashville was one of the better ones because David Price did choose to come to Boston. One of the best meals I’ve ever had,” Kennedy recalled. “I haven’t spent too much time in Nashville, but that was a lot of fun. Listening to (former Red Sox general manager) Mike Hazen tell stories is always fun, as well.”
A call from Bobby Orr. A hearty meal at a popular restaurant. Whatever works.
Kennedy and the Red Sox long have been willing to go the extra mile in their efforts to field the best team possible on an annual basis.
