The Boston Red Sox remembered Jerry Remy Wednesday night during a tribute including legends on and off the field, but Don Orsillo was kept from participating.
The Boston Red Sox gathered at Fenway Park on Wednesday night for a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, but that night was more than just another game. Boston paid tribute and said goodbye to former second baseman and longtime broadcaster Jerry Remy who tragically died of lung cancer in October.
Many legends of the Red Sox were involved in the tribute, but San Diego Padres announcer (and longtime Boston play-by-play man) Don Orsillo was stripped of his opportunity to make his final farewell. According to a Tweet posted by Orsillo, he was offered to make a farewell video for Remy and was later notified by the Red Sox organization and NESN that his video was no longer needed.
I was offered the opportunity to do a video message for my friend and former partner Jerry Remy for tonight’s ceremony at Fenway Park. Sadly, I was notified by Red Sox/NESN that my video would no longer be needed for tonight’s ceremony. Here was my message. @RedSox @NESN pic.twitter.com/FZkULtlOk1
— Don Orsillo (@DonOrsillo) April 21, 2022
Orsillo shared his final words that were supposed to be aired in the video.
Boston sports fans are upset and outraged by this decision, but Senior VP Pam Kenn responded with a cryptic Tweet very short of showing sympathy.
Kenn stated, “Two sides to all stories.”
Orsillo and Remy were longtime broadcast partners and best friends. Many find it a heartbreaking situation to see the exclusion of Orsillo from such a special moment that’s only given once.
Red Sox: Don Orsillo says goodbye to Jerry Remy
Remy was a Massachusetts native who played the majority of his MLB career in Boston. He was known as “RemDawg” among the league and quickly became a fan-favorite broadcaster for his quick wit and humor.
He worked alongside Orsillo many times, and the two produced one of the most famous broadcasts in Sox history in 2007 known as “the pizza incident.” The two laughed on air when a fan threw a slice of pizza at another who failed to catch a fly ball. Remy made Red Sox games unique and always provided his own entertaining twist. There was never a dull moment during his 34 years in the NESN broadcast booth, which is now officially named the “Jerry Remy Booth”.
His legacy was remembered by the Red Sox in an emotional tribute posted to the franchise’s Twitter.
Forever the RemDawg. pic.twitter.com/QOdBHhv1mz
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 20, 2022
Remy’s joyful and goofy spirit is captured perfectly through a montage of photos and videos of his life.
He brought happiness and laughter to the entire Red Sox organization, and he will always be remembered for his legendary career and gentle-hearted nature.