Jerry Remy, a former Boston Red Sox player who later became part of the broadcast booth that covered the team for NESN, died Saturday night at the age of 68.
Remy had walked away from his role as a NESN analyst for the Red Sox games on Aug. 4 to undergo treatment for lung cancer. He said at the time that “as I have done before and will continue to do so, I will fight this with everything I have.”
He returned for the ceremonial first pitch on October 5 when the Red Sox faced the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game. They took him out onto the field in a cart and, while using a nasal cannula to take supplemental oxygen, he threw the pitch to Dennis Eckersley, his former teammate and one of his broadcast booth mates.
“We are saddened by the loss of a beloved player, broadcaster and cancer fighter for 13 years,” Red Sox owner John Henry said in a statement. “Jerry’s love and connection to baseball allowed nothing to come between him and the game, including cancer for many years. He devoted his entire career to baseball and either from his seat in the clubhouse or from his position on the field in the broadcast. At the booth, he took generations of rising Red Sox stars and a crowd of fans for a ride with him. During his life, he witnessed great triumphs and terrible tragedies, handling everything with grace, dignity, and a great heart. indelible mark on this club and on an entire nation of Red Sox fans.
Remy, a former smoker, was initially diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. He relapsed multiple times, including this year.
“Jerry Remy grew up in Massachusetts supporting the Red Sox and lived his dream as a beloved player and broadcaster with the team. He forged a personal connection with Boston fans and inspired many with his fight against cancer. The Players Association joins Jerry’s family, friends and fans in mourning his loss, “the MLB Players Association said in a statement.
Former teammate Fred Lynn was one of those who paid tribute to Remy on social media, tweeting : “Today I lost a great teammate and friend. A true player and an important part of the entire Red Sox Nation. RIP Remdog ».
Don Orsillo, his former broadcast partner with NESN, tweeted : “Thank you for 21 years of friendship. Today I am nowhere without you. You taught me the correct form of @MLB. I know I will still text you 3 times a day. I’m lost. #RIPRem @RedSox @NESN ».
Thank you for 21 years of friendship. I am nowhere today without you. Showed me the right @MLB way. I know I will text you 3 times a day still. I am lost. #RIPRem @RedSox @NESN pic.twitter.com/GB9wU8TKQl
— Don Orsillo (@DonOrsillo) October 31, 2021
Red Sox Nation lost a beloved icon. I lost an old friend, teammate, and broadcast partner. We will all miss him. Fenway Park will never be the same again, “Eckersley said in a statement released by NESN.
Remy, who was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on November 8, 1952, played second baseman for the Red Sox from 1978 to 1984 and joined the NESN booth in 1988, becoming a beloved broadcaster for the franchise.
Known as “RemDawg” by generations of New Englanders, Remy was chosen by fans as the first president of the “Red Sox Nation” at the end of the 2007 season. The club had decided to capitalize on the passions of fans who were known for that name creating a formal fan club.
He was selected for his only All-Star Game in 1978 when he hit .278 with 24 doubles, 6 triples, 2 home runs and 33 RBIs. He also stole 30 bases.
Remy began his major league career with the California Angels in 1975 and spent his first three seasons with that organization. Overall, he hit .275 with 140 doubles, 38 triples, 7 home runs and 399 RBIs. He also had 208 stolen bases during his 10 years in the majors.