Every night during the baseball season, I invite two men into my television room. Now, now - I mean the two Red Sox announcers from NESN, Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo. I sometimes think I spend more time with them than I do some of my "real" friends. They are such a part of my Red Sox viewing experience - it's hard to imagine a game without them.
Unfortunately, NESN announced tonight on the pre-game show that Remy is taking an "indefinite" leave to recover from cancer surgery earlier this year. A lifetime smoker, Remy hopes “that disclosing my bout with cancer will reinforce the dangers of smoking to every member of Red Sox Nation, especially children.”
Many of us suspected all was not well when he missed part of Spring Training - and looked thinner when he did arrive. Then he missed some regular season games, and left the most recent road trip early. All pointed to something a bit more serious. It was sad to hear it confirmed tonight. And although I love Dennis Eckersley, and he's done a terrific job subbing, I still miss the Rem Dawg.
Although I have loved watching baseball again on NESN - they've broadcast two games so far - I really miss Jerry Remy in the booth. He and Don Orsillo make the Sox broadcasts "must-see" tv. Whether it's livening up a boring, one-sided game, sharing his insider insights, or his general silliness, the games just fly by when he and DO are broadcasting.
According to Orsillo, Jerry is sidelined with a "chest infection" he caught while on vacation. He's recuperating in Boston.
Get well soon, RemDawg. I hope we have you back where you belong for next week's gamecast!
Phew! Where did the week go? I just realized today that I hadn't added a new entry here in over a week. I'm still enamored of my new toy, Facebook, and that's what's been keeping me occupied! But now that baseball is starting to gear back up....
1. ARod - I finally got the new Sports Illustrated - and was a little disappointed in the article about his steroid use. I guess because I'd read most of it before I got the magazine! (I'm more than a little worried about the future of the printed media). His press conference last week was very interesting, as was all the post-presser analysis, especially by the New York press. It's going to be a very interesting season for the Yankees, I think. Of course, as a Red Sox fan, I say - the more distractions for them, the better.
I do wonder about those other guys on "the list." How would you feel if you were one of them right now? Hoping no one finds out? Wanting to publicly admit and get it over with?
I know that if I were one of the 900 who tested negatively, I would be shouting it loudly. Right now every player from this era is being eyed suspiciously - and plenty of players who had the same opportunities to indulge and didn't are being looked at as cheaters. They deserve a huge pat on the back!
2. Academy Awards - hey, I picked 18 out of 23. Not bad! Even got a few of the technical catagories, which usually do me in. In general, I enjoyed the broadcast. Loved Hugh Jackman's opening musical number, but I thought the second number was one too many. I also enjoyed the way they introduced the acting awards, having past winners salute the nominees. Very touching.
And I was psyched that the theme from Slumdog Millionaire won best song. It is the most infectious song! I have it on my iPod and really wished I spoke Hindi so I could sing along:
A pretty good version!
3. MLB Network: My love affair continues. This week, they've shifted from the "Hot Stove" report to their new prime time program, "MLB Tonight." It's the same format as Hot Stove -with a rotating group of commentators and ex-players. Once the season starts, they'll be on for the whole night, with live "look-ins" on games in progress, analysis and on-field interviews. On their first show - last night - they said that the format will continue to evolve as time progresses, but they anticipate the cast working in two or three hour shifts.
I will have to start working out my "clicker finger" - because I think I'll be doing a lot of clicking this season!
4. Speaking of broadcasts: tomorrow night is the first live NESN game of the season! Yeah - RemDawg and DO on my tv at 7:05. Life is good!
Today, they are celebrating Jerry Remy's 20 years as a broadcaster with NESN. Some of us are old enough to remember him back in his playing days - another local boy who lived out every New England boy's dream of playing for the Red Sox. (You see another one who did it above - Carlton Fisk). As I recall, he was a fair player - no Hall of Famer, certainly, but a good journeyman player, one who played tough enough to earn the name "Rem Dawg."
But it's been in the broadcast booth that his place in New England legend/folklore has been born. It's a hoot to look back at him in those early days with Ken Coleman - with a voice not yet tainted by 20 years of cigarette smoking. He seems to have the gift of making his partner in the booth even better.
I wasn't able to see those broadcasts until recently, thanks to DirecTV and the MLB Extra Innings package. My enjoyment has been greatly expanded this year, as EI seems to be offering the NESN broadcast for every game - no more suffering through the home broadcasts when the Sox are on the road. Remy and DO make every game - even a blow out or a heartbreaker - a total entertainment experience!
I'm looking forward to many more broadcasts - although I get nervous that some national network will come to their senses and poach him. On the other hand, I think Remy likes being a big fish in a small pond, one who can expand his empire at will. As a matter of fact, I believe they are even opening a RemDawg Restaurant in Logan Airport later this year! Bon appetit, amigos!
The Red Sox (and, therefore, me) have had some busy, long days. The Sunday game against the Yankees was a typical marathon - almost 4 hours. Fortunately, we held on for the win! And last night's game in Cleveland (also nearly 4 hours) was a fantastic come-from-behind-win. Okay, most of the game was very long and at time, unendurable. Lester pitched himself into a bind at one point - bases loaded, one out. So Tito went to the bullpen for - Julian Tavarez. Say what you want about whether the guy is sane, but he was awesome last night. Got two strike outs in that bases loaded situation, keeping the game in reach. In reach for the offense - which came to life in the last two innings. Youkilis had a homerun in the 8th, and Manny's 2-run homer in the 9th put us ahead 6-4 - and we never looked back. Yeah Red Sox!
I'm not into the hockey thing anymore (went thru a hockey phase in my college years, but you're supposed to dabble in crazy things during those years!). But I have to admit that I love this NESN commercial for the Bruins:
Okay, last thing I'm posting about the White House visit. Here's the AP's video from YouTube.
And in the "From the Ridiculous to the Sublime" Department, the team left the White House and went on a visit to the Walter Read Army Medical Center. There, the greeted injured vets just recently returned from Iraq and the Gulf. The Herald and RedSox.com have good accounts of the visit, and the Globe has some photos.
I think it was awesome that they do that. Not only because those brave men and women are deserving of any attention they get for what they've sacrificed for our country. But I also think it's a real reality check, especially for the younger players. They've all been caught up in seeing themselves as American heroes, and I think meeting some true heroes can only have a positive impact on them.
And now, it's almost time to put 2007 behind us. We still have Opening Day (April 8th!) ahead, but tonight is the first game of Spring Training - being broadcast live on NESN! Yeah, time for Don "Donny O" Orsillo and Jerry "RemDawg" Remy. I can't wait!! I only hope there's some pizzer tossing in the stands!!
Every night during the baseball season, I invite two men into my television room. Now, now - I mean the two Red Sox announcers from NESN, Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo. I sometimes think I spend more time with them than I do some of my "real" friends. They are such a part of my Red Sox viewing experience - it's hard to imagine a game without them.
