BOSTON — This truly is the Golden Age of baseball for the Red Sox.

Before the organization’s Hall of Fame inductions last night, a few former players said as much and wished they were playing for the Sox now.

Mike Greenwell and Mo Vaughn were both very successful in Boston — Greenwell from 1985 to 1996 and Vaughn from 1991 to 1998. Those Red Sox teams were successful but never won a World Series under the former ownership of the Yawkey Foundation and its trustees.

Now with John Henry the principal owner and Theo Epstein as the general manager, Boston has become a perennial winner and its two World Series victories — in 2004 and 2007 — prove that.

“The Red Sox, ownership and baseball operations, are doing a great job,” said Vaughn. “I’m jealous. I wish I played when these guys were there. They are doing it the right way. They are building from within. They have young guys, and it’s fun to be on the side that’s making all the right decisions. It’s working out.”

Vaughn, who played eight seasons in Boston, was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame last night along with Greenwell, Bill Lee, Wes Ferrell (posthumously), Everett Scott (posthumously), Frank Sullivan, former scout George Digby and former executive Edward Kenney Sr. (posthumously).

Vaughn also played for the Angels and Mets, but said last night he feels like he’s back home and is thrilled with the Red Sox’ recent success.

“When I was playing, it was always the Yankees or somebody else making the right trades and deals. We’re doing it [now] and it’s good. It’s a family atmosphere. People like playing here. Everybody comes to play and plays hard. It’s great to see the Red Sox have the formula for success. When I was here, it was always somebody else making the trades and doing all the things [to be successful]. It’s good to see the GM and ownership getting involved and doing the right things to be consistent and successful all the time.”

Since his career ended, Vaughn has been involved in real estate, specifically low-income housing in New York and Boston, and he’s even working on projects in Providence.

“When people see me in the street, they don’t say ‘Mo Vaughn was great with the Mets and the Angels.’ They say ‘He was great with the Red Sox.’ Fans, friends and the Red Sox organization are what made that. I’m happy. It’s a good day today.”

Vaughn hit .304 with 230 homers and 752 RBI in 1,046 games for the Red Sox. He was named the American League’s MVP in 1995, when he had 39 homers and 126 RBI. He was also a three-time All-Star.

Greenwell starred for the Red Sox for over a decade in left field and in 1998 he finished second in A.L. MVP voting behind Jose Canseco. Greenwell posted a .303 lifetime average with the Red Sox — his only team — with 130 home runs and 726 RBI in 1,269 games.

He’s also impressed with the way the Sox are doing things.

“It’s great,” he said. “We had a lot of success, but we could never get over the hump. To see them finally get over the hump and win the World Series in 2004 and 2007 — it was nice to see them get that final success they needed.”

Until this past season, Greenwell had not been back to Fenway Park because he was unhappy with the previous regime. Now he sees an organization that takes care of its players and personnel.

“Obviously there was a period after Mrs. Yawkey passed away where the organization was going in the wrong direction,” said Greenwell. “A lot of guys didn’t feel good playing there. It wasn’t a fun place to play. Former players weren’t welcomed and to see the new ownership come in and do what it has done is a big part of their success. They’ve made it one big family again, including the players who helped make history for the Red Sox.”

Greenwell, who is retired now, explained last night that he made more money in real estate than he did when he played baseball, was very complimentary when speaking about Epstein, saying the young GM is wise beyond his years.

Former Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee was fine spirits last night, which is not unusual for the left-hander who likes to speak his mind. He was disgusted over the fact that the Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez last summer, but is still happy with the direction the club is taking.

He pointed out a few reasons why he thinks the Red Sox are winning.

“Great scouting,” he said. “Getting David Ortiz from Minnesota was a stroke of brilliance. Getting Mike Lowell and keeping Lowell. It has been a combination of factors. The farm club. Bringing up Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis. Getting both Hideki Okajima and Daisuke Matsuzaka. They are a great ball club and could have won even more. They could have won it this year. There’s no doubt they beat Philadelphia.”

jmcdonal@projo.com