Jerry Remy: Overexposed?

(Eds. Note: The first of some occasional thoughts about the Boston Red Sox...because not enough is written about them.)

Is Jerry Remy overexposed?

Shit, I feel guilty even raising the question, but I'm not the first.

Don't get me wrong, Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo are two of the best broadcasters in baseball, maybe top five in sports broadcasting. I gnash my teeth when DirectTV forces me to watch other team's regional broadcasters (like the yo-yo who calls the Orioles games and made fun of Jon Lester's hair line the other night. Are you kidding me?)

In addition to calling a great game, and being responsible for at least 60 percent of what I know about baseball, in their best 'Sox lead 9-3' moments, they recall the spare comedy of Bob & Ray, who long ago filled in during Red Sox rain delays on WHDH Radio. (No, not alive then).

And I do love the goofy schtick...my boyfriend and I still crack up about Judge Judy and Munchkin-gate.

But sheesh, is it really necessary for NESN to run Jerry Remy commercials after every inning of Jerry Remy called game? Is there no other time of the day they could possibly run them?

(Memo from Sovereign Bank ad rep to me: Go fuck yourself.)

Does Jerry Remy really want to squander his 'Remy-equity' on ads for windows? Next thing you know, he's gonna be dancing with a poker chip in a Foxwoods commercial. Think about the wonder of that...

Again, it's admittedly Grinch-y to complain about a guy who got payed peanuts to play ball in a far more demanding era, who's just trying earn extra dough. I'm all for it in principle...maybe just not in degree.



And poor Fred Thompson. The networks are ready to yank The Hunt for Red October, Curly Sue and countless Law & Order re-runs to prevent some kind of bizarre advantage (I'm a fiction bad-ass, vote for me?) But the Rem-dawg's free airtime to promote his bid for Red Sox Nation presidency would make the FCC, frankly, shit a brick. (All credit to Don Orsillo for pointing this out tonight, even in passing.)

So to Jerry I say this: I bought your book. I ate at RemDawgs on Yawkey Way. I have the Don and Jerry Bobble-Desk. (Your bobble-head broke off in the shipping though, and it's kinda freakin' me out).

But this winter, when you are far far away in some exotic locale, reading books and trying to not think about baseball for a moment, think about this: You're a baseball icon and a broadcast gem worth a million bucks...please don't spend it all in one place.



[This message has been brought to you by a Gigantic Lifesize D'Angelo's sub--who's best friend David Ortiz brought baseball magic back to Fenway, all by himself.)