Former NESN broadcaster Don Orsillo returned to Fenway Park for the second time since his departure from the network in 2015.
The former Boston Red Sox play-by-play announcer, who called games alongside the late, great Jerry Remy, reported an outpouring of love from fans in his former city. He worked in Boston for the first time as an opposing broadcaster during the San Diego Padres series from June 28-30.
Orsillo was well received by Red Sox Nation — the announcer said he believes he posed for around 30 pictures on his walk to the ballpark from his hotel. But he received no such love from the Red Sox organization.
Xander Bogaerts, a Red Sox player of 10 years, was understandably given a video tribute and a warm welcome from fans. But fans have many fond memories of Orsillo's time in the NESN broadcast booth and he received no formal recognition for his 14-year tenure with the network.
Orsillo was born in Melrose, MA and is a New England native. His passion for the Red Sox was palpable during his years on the mic. But since his dismissal from NESN, his loyalty has shifted.
Don Orsillo didn't mince words when discussing his feelings on the Red Sox organization
“I believe when you’re fired from a team, you lose your allegiance to that team as far as caring whether they win or lose . . . That was part of the deal: If I’m out, so are they. I can’t be a fan of someone who’s not a fan of mine," Orsillo said to Sean McAdam of MassLive.
After Orsillo was fired at the end of the 2015 season, he was replaced with longtime Red Sox radio voice, Dave O'Brien. Many Sox fans still miss Orsillo's voice on NESN, which is partially owned by Red Sox and Fenway Park owner John Henry, and the decision to let him go infuriated much of the fanbase.
O'Brien is good at his job, and adding former players into the booth has loosened his broadcast up a bit. But they lack the chemistry and laughs that Orsillo and Remy brought.
Don Orsillo was fantastic and got screwed over by John Henry and the Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/pPjgi5NJpR
— Savage (@SavageSports_) June 30, 2024
Fans are nostalgic for the early days of the Red Sox's modern era — consistently good teams with the payroll of a big-market club and owners who care. NESN's switch from Orsillo coincides with the beginning of Henry's apathy toward his ball club and the era of the complacent Sox. 2018 was great, but an outlier in Fenway Sports Group's business plan.
Orsillo was raised a Red Sox fan, and his disdain for the organization that he feels turned on him is valid. Terry Francona likely feels the same, as he won two championships as the Red Sox manager, but the end of his career in Boston was met with pettiness from ownership. The former skipper did not attend the 20th-anniversary celebration of the 2004 World Series at Fenway Park's Opening Day, and many speculated his absence was a product of his poor relationship with ownership.
Orsillo described Red Sox Nation's feelings about him well — broadcasters are like family members Their voice rings through die-hards' houses on a nightly basis and eventually becomes a staple of the team fans love.
Red Sox fans are nostalgic for the early years of the team's success, and rightly so. FSG's ever-tightening budget has affected the team in more ways than one, even from the couches in fans' own living rooms.