BoSox introduce Cherington as new GM By REUTERS

Ben Cherington (L) shakes hands with Larry Lucchino, President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, after being introduced as the executive vice president and general manager of the club at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on Oct. 25, 2011. (REUTERS/Adam Hunger)

The Boston Red Sox officially appointed Ben Cherington as general manager on Tuesday in place of Theo Epstein, who left the club last week.

Cherington has been with Boston for 13 seasons, and had served as senior vice president and assistant general manager to Epstein since January 2009.

“He has already worked his way through every aspect of baseball operations, and over the years has gained a well-rounded set of experiences that will help him guide this franchise to its next World Championship,” Red Sox chief executive Larry Lucchino said in a statement.

“There is no one more prepared to take on the role of general manager of the Red Sox than Ben. He will hit the ground running, in full stride, and no one will outwork him.”

Cherington faces a tough task in taking over the reins from Epstein, who assembled a team that won the World Series in 2004 and 2007, ending a title drought that stretched back to 1918.

The Red Sox have failed to make the playoffs the past two seasons, with the 2011 squad becoming the first Major League Baseball (MLB) team to have a nine-game lead in September and not make the playoffs.

Epstein, who became the youngest ever MLB general manager when Boston hired him in 2002 at age 28, has taken charge as president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.