New Owner Press Conference from Fort Myers. 5:35pm EDT:

JH: I feel extremely happy, long, long process. 18 months. Thankfully only here for last five.

Emotions: Felt surreal, long process.

LL: No changes today. A day to celebrate. Moral, orderly way to proceed. Just got the word, want to sit down and proceed with the new Red Sox. Will watch West Wing, and get to work early tomorrow.

I don't want to get into positions, timetables, on changes. Tonight is a night to celebrate.

Are fans pulling for you?

JH: Yes, until we lose a game. I feel honored and privileged to be an owner of the Red Sox, but as I said in press release, the real owners are the fans of New England.

We have the resources to be competitive in the long term and win a World Championship for the Red Sox.

LL: Eager to move forward, put our stamp, philosophy, style into action. It's our privilege and responsibility. We will work real hard at it.

LL: Somewhat overblown that we haven't been able to proceed more quickly. Would have been nice but we can adjust now.

No information on schedule of events tonight. Will see some changes in the next several days.

David Ginsburg (answer to something)

JH: The whole Spring Training has been so much fun, traces of euphoria, so much fun. Won't feel better tomorrow than I feel right now.

90year since there was a new owner in their first year. JH: My mother was born that year, maybe there's something magical in that.

Red Sox record for the last couple of decades speaks for it self. First phone call was to Tom. In tomorrow morning.

Larry Lucchino at 5:50 EDT on WEEI:

LL: We've been in and out last couple of days, yes, some ambiguity and a little bit of uncertainty. We've been waiting for the official announcement. Now it's a new chapter, new day for the Red Sox.

Do you have enough time to make changes?

LL: First day is tomorrow, end of first chapter is April 1, but they'll be a few other chapters written. Not held to arbitrary timetable.  In some areas, more methodical, learn people,  prophecies before you move in.

It is an exciting team, strong team if it stays healthy fans will be rewarded winning solid team.

We knew there was a sour note to last season. Fans, players, us, we all want a fresh start. Opportunity for change and optimism. Fans need to recognize this is the start of 2002, not the end of 2001.

Do you have your eye on a player or situation that you now can act on?

We have tried to stay respectfully in the background. We haven't had a secret government. We try to collaborate our philosophy, style with those who are here.

How do you maintain this fan-friendly atmosphere?

It is the people's game. You have to reach out to the fans, celebrate with the fans. We gotta remember that magic and not be too close or jaded. It's good business. All fans should hold us accountable. We intend to market the team and experience the team the way we have in Spring Training.

Is John Henry making decisions?

Authority for operation of partnership has been delegated to Henry, Werner, Lucchino. I am president and CEO responsible for day-to-day operations. 40-50 years' experience combined. Baseball player decisions and evaluations will be made by baseball people.