NESN has announced its new lineup of studio talent for its 2026 Boston Red Sox broadcasts, yet another indication that the season is approaching fast. Past analysis Jim Rice, Lenny DiNardo, Jonathan Papelbon and Will Middlebrooks will continue accompanying Tom Caron in the studio, and a few familiar faces will join them.
Matt Barnes, Manny Delcarmen, Rich Hill and JP Ricciardi are new additions to NESN's studio team. Hill is the most intriguing name on this list, as he hasn't officially retired from baseball yet, not does it seem like he plans to.
Hill and former Red Sox closer Joe Kelly have taken a curious route to "retirement." Both players have steered away from using the "R" word — in Kelly's case because he doesn't feel the end of a baseball career is worthy of it. On the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast, Kelly told host Rob Bradford that people who work until they're 65 or serve in the military deserve to retire, while baseball players just stop playing.
In lieu of a traditional retirement announcement, Hill, also on Bradford's podcast, said that he has no plans to play in 2026, but remains open to different opportunities around baseball.
“I’m looking for open possibilities to stay in the game of baseball and be a contributory factor,” he said. “I enjoy the work aspect of whatever it might be that’s next."
NESN introduces new studio talent for Red Sox broadcasts, including former pitcher Rich Hill, as well as improved stat collection and graphics
Hill has signed with the Red Sox as a free agent nine times, and it's funny to consider NESN, which is partially owned by John Henry, as his 10th stint with the team. He's a Massachusetts native and staying local is always an easy choice.
Delcarmen is also a former Red Sox, a 2007 World Series champion and Massachusetts native. Ricciardi is from Worcester and played two years of minor league baseball in his career. He's also coached and served as a scout and a front office executive in the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets organizations.
Barnes, who was born and raised in Connecticut, played the first nine years of his 11-year career with the Red Sox. He last pitched for the Washington Nationals in 2024, when he logged 13.1 innings before they designated him for assignment.
NESN is also updating other aspects of its broadcast. As well as a new show open and graphics, NESN will debut "a modernized scorebug, enhanced statistical integrations and dynamic in-game elements," according to the network. NESN's broadcasts are rather underwhelming as the main network of one of the most valuable teams in MLB. Hopefully the stat and graphics updates will help them keep pace with some of the more innovative local broadcasting networks, like YES Network and SNY.