It’s kind of sad that this is so unusual

July 6th, 2006 → 10:24 pm @ // No Comments

Two nice moments in the NESN broadcast of tonight’s Sox-Devil Rays game.

* In the first inning, after Manny cranked a ball into the left-field stands for a two-run shot, Jerry Remy got audibly excited. But instead of just screaming, “DEEP DRIVE, HOME RUN!” (or something inane like “that two-run shot is as good as a grand slam“), Remy’s excitement stemmed from Manny’s freakish balance on a Scott Shields change-up. Two batters earlier, Shields had struck out Mark Loretta with a change; not only did Manny take note, but Remy did too. Manny’s ability to correctly forecast the offspeed offering and sit on it is impressive; just as impressive–especially in comparison to the vast majority of broadcasters working today–is that Remy, instead of simply marveling at Manny’s power or skill or whatever, used the moment to point out how smart a player Manny is and what his at-bat illustrated.

* In the top of the ninth, with Alex Gonzalez on third, nobody out, and Kevin Youkilis at bat, Youk hit a fastball sharply between first and second. It was a hit and run–Gonzalez was off with the pitch–and Devil Rays second baseman Jorge Cantu had broken towards the bag; as a result, he had to scramble to his left, turning a potential double-play ball into a bases loaded situation. Before the play was over, Remy was explaining how Cantu should have been in position to make the play; it’s the shortstop that usually covers second when there’s a hit-and-run on with the pitcher throwing a fastball to a right-handed hitter. And unlike the rote “how many times does a guy make a great defensive play to end an inning and then lead off the next inning with a big hit?” (answer: almost exactly as much as you’d expect), Remy’s observation explained what turned out to be a game deciding play: after a Mark Loretta walk loaded the bases, David Ortiz hit a grand slam for his second home run of the game. The Boston Red Sox: fun to watch and educational.

P.S. After 83 games, David Ortiz has 29 home runs and 82 RBIs. His projected totals for the season? Fifty seven home runs and 160 RBIs. He is a god among men.


Post Categories: Baseball & Broadcasting & David Ortiz & Jerry Remy & NESN

2 Comments → “It’s kind of sad that this is so unusual”


  1. gmschmidty

    17 years ago

    Great points on Rem Dawg, Seth. After just listening to an interview on EEI, in which Hawk Harrleson, the White Sox analyst, claimed the immortal Joe Crede is the best Third Baseman since Brooks Robinson, I am reminded of what makes Remy so great. He may be a bit of a homer (what local guy isn’t?) but he provides some actual analysis, and insight that shows you he is thinking through every facet of the game, not just spewing tired cliches. He is the Big Papi of announcers.–Geoffrey

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  2. Pete

    17 years ago

    Agreed on your points. When Jerry Remy first started doing the Red Sox games (how many years ago is that now?), I thought he sounded a little foolish, with his MA accent. I thought, this guy is too local, and not very polished. Now, I can’t imagine watching the games without him. There is no other announcer that knows the game like he does, and does it without making you wince every time he says something. Case in point – Tim McCarver. The guy makes me scream every time he opens his mouth, with his trademark “he’s the best righthanded hitter of change-ups with the wind blowing left to right, possibly ever” or similar idiocy. Every one of his points are so obscure (or made up) that they cannot be refuted, and he follows all of them with “possibly ever”. Our boy RemDawg, in contrast, is so schooled in the nuances of the game, that it is a pleasure because you end up noticing things that you wouldn’t otherwise. Did you happen to catch the game a few weeks ago where Brad Mills was sending signals in to Varitek, who then relayed them to the pitcher. Remy pointed out that the call was not necessarily a particular pitch, but whether and when to throw over to first. The camera work then beautifully captured the sequence – Mills, then Jason’s eyes staring in, then the signal, then the throw. Awesome work, started by Remy. Then, the way he correctly predicts plays based on outs, pitch count, sitution, etc. such as steals, hit and run, even suicide squeezes. I could go on and on, but Remy is an absolute jewel and I hope he’s around for a long time. The man is a manager in announcer’s clothing.

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