The Boston Red Sox have not exactly done much right for their fans this season. After the debacle that involved the team deciding to ratchet up ticket prices for games that season ticket holders had paid for because “the weather is nicer in May,” there did not seem to be a bar that they would not slither under.
But one had to hope they would make an exception when it came to Jerry Remy. The Red Sox beloved announcer and former player passed away in 2021, leading to an outpouring of love and support around the baseball world.
Boston Red Sox sully Jerry Remy’s memorial
One would have thought that love would have extended from the Red Sox as well. It certainly appeared to as Remy’s long time partner, Don Orsillo, was offered the opportunity to have a video message during his tribute at Fenway Park on Wednesday. But then, the Red Sox inexplicably decided not to use it.
Let’s ignore the fact that the Red Sox and NESN had unceremoniously dumped Orsillo after the 2015 season. He had spent 15 years in the booth with Remy, someone that he admired greatly and has said had a profound impact on his career. The two remained friends even after the Red Sox dropped Orsillo and he landed in San Diego, texting daily and enjoying one another’s company as best they could. Remy would have wanted Orcillo to be a part of this.
That did not matter. The Red Sox had to continue to inflate their own egos and shove one of Remy’s best friends aside. A day that should have been about honoring a Red Sox legend, both on the diamond and in the broadcasting booth, became something else. The focus came back to the owners and how petty they can be.
It is easy to say that Orcillo deserved better from the Red Sox in multiple areas, beginning with the way his time with the organization ended. But Remy deserved better. He deserved to have the tributes from the people he would have wanted to hear from, and that included one of his closest friends. It does not matter what the Red Sox think or want.
The Boston Red Sox had the perfect opportunity to give Jerry Remy the sendoff he deserved. Then they made that day about themselves instead.