The longtime color commentator will be healthy and ready for the 2018 season.
Jerry Remy is a voice that most Boston Red Sox fans recognize the second they turn on a game on NESN. But a battle with cancer has forced Remy to take a leave of absence various times last season.
However, during a brief broadcast appearance with Dave O’Brien and Steve Lyons, Remy announced that he’s completed his lung cancer treatment and expects to be back in the NESN booth on Opening Day.
"“You know, it’s tough physically,” Remy said, speaking about his chemotherapy and radiation treatments. “It’s tough emotionally. But the fact is, the doctors are so good. You listen to the doctors and what they have to say, and as long as you’re seeing progress, you know, you feel good about it.”"
It’s never easy to leave your job that also serves as your biggest passion in life for a deadly disease. The daily physical challenge is incredibly hard for a patient to push through, but the emotional aspect may be the biggest challenge of all.
Remy has showed his devotion to Red Sox broadcasting since 1988, and has loved it every step of the way. But a long list of crimes for his son, who is a convicted murderer, and Jerry’s recent battle with lung cancer has been taxing on the longtime broadcaster. Remy refused to let cancer hold him back from doing what he loves.
"“You know, you go to these places where you get the chemo and get the radiation,” Remy said, “and you get people sitting to your left, to your right, in front of you, behind you, all in probably, maybe, worse shape than you are, you know? So, there’s a lot of people with tremendous courage out there that really help you get through things like this. And, you know, one of the things that helps me get through is the thought of coming back and doing some baseball. And I made a promise last year that I’d be back for Opening Day.”"
The witty, restfully spoken broadcaster praises the medical experts in and around Boston who have helped him through this tough process. He was adamant about doing exactly what the doctors say, and believing in them to lead you to a full recovery.
"“You get this information, and you gotta do exactly what the doctors say,” he said. “You know, we’re very fortunate that we have some of the best in the world up in our area, and to be able to listen to them, take their instruction. You don’t just battle your way through it. And you get positive signs as you go through it that make you feel good, and you get to a point where you feel things are turning the corner now. You feel a little bit better. But it’s difficult. I’m not going to lie. It’s very difficult to go through, and I don’t wish that on anybody, but I’ll tell ya that if you’re going to have it, the place to get treatment is up in the Boston area. That’s certainly the place.”"
We all have challenges in life, but a vicious disease like cancer is one of the most difficult experiences for anyone — and their loved ones — in life. It’s heartbreaking to see anyone have to start from the bottom and work their way back to full health with a disease that can haunt you the rest of your life.
We often get wrapped up in materialistic things, but Remy’s story is a quick reminder to stop and appreciate what we do have: Health. Even if we disagree about certain players on the Red Sox, the current status of the team or how to play the sport correctly, we must recognize life goes beyond baseball.
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For anyone who deals with a disease or illness, remember Remy’s story and use it as determination and strength to fight the battle with cancer until the very end. And during the process, it won’t matter what your favorite team is because everyone will be unified, rooting for the same comeback victory.