Jeremy Kapstein

eremy Kapstein is a pioneering baseball agent and executive, best known for representing top MLB players during the birth of free agency in the 1970s. A graduate of Harvard and Boston College Law School, he negotiated groundbreaking contracts for stars like Carlton Fisk, Rollie Fingers, and Fred Lynn. Kapstein later served as CEO of the San Diego Padres and senior advisor to the Boston Red Sox, leaving a lasting impact on both player advocacy and team operations.

Inducted

Jeremy Kapstein is a landmark figure in Major League Baseball, whose career as an agent and executive helped shape the evolution of player rights and front office leadership. With a legal background and a strategic mind, Kapstein rose to prominence during the 1970s as one of baseball’s first true “super agents.”

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Kapstein earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his law degree from Boston College Law School. He began his career representing baseball players just as free agency was transforming the sport. With a deep understanding of contract law and a trailblazing use of statistical evidence in arbitration, Kapstein quickly gained a reputation as a fierce and intelligent advocate for his clients.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Kapstein represented some of the biggest names in baseball, including Carlton Fisk, Rollie Fingers, Steve Garvey, Fred Lynn, and Joe Rudi. He was instrumental in securing player-friendly deals at a time when teams still held most of the negotiating power. His efforts helped usher in a new era of player empowerment and financial security in Major League Baseball.

In 1989, Kapstein shifted to the executive side of the sport, becoming CEO of the San Diego Padres. He later joined the Boston Red Sox as a senior advisor, where he played a behind-the-scenes role in contract negotiations and strategic decisions over a 14-year tenure. Beyond baseball, Kapstein also ventured into politics, running for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island in 2010.

Jeremy Kapstein's influence on the game of baseball is profound and lasting. From redefining the agent-player relationship to guiding front-office operations, his legacy is that of a true pioneer—one who helped modernize and humanize the business of America’s pastime.