Top 5 Don Orsillo Moments On NESN
By DJ Smith
Today on the Dennis and Callahan Show, Gerry Callahan broke the news that following the 2015 season Don Orsillo would no longer be with NESN. What followed throughout the day on Twitter was nothing short of a unified cry of outrage towards NESN and their decision to move on from Orsillo:
Damn shame that Orsillo got the boot from NESN. He made mediocre games listenable. #RedSox
— dj smitty (@dj_smitty) August 25, 2015
@NESN letting @DonOrsillo is an absolute travesty. Nesn should be ashamed of themselves. I hope you get a national gig Don! #TBS
— Mike Waugh (@m_waugh86) August 26, 2015
This is the worst thing to happen to the 2015 Sox https://t.co/1pLCQV0sGz
— feitelberg (@FeitsBarstool) August 25, 2015
Clearly the move was not a popular one, but instead of harp on the (horrendous) decision by NESN to let Orsillo go lets look back at some of the best moments from his time in the Red Sox broadcast booth.
5. “Boston This Is For You”
Obviously a memorable one, being it was the first home game after the 2013 Marathon Bombings. We all remember that day, just writing this has the hair on my neck stand up. Of course everyone will remember David Ortiz echoing throughout Fenway that nobody can dictate our freedom, but lets not forget Daniel Nava’s 8th inning home run was one of the first times that Boston could cheer in unison after the attacks. Don didn’t need a catchphrase or anything fancy, simply put “Boston This Is For You”.
4. “Here Come’s The Pizza!”
One of the all-time classic bits in the 14 year partnership between Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy occurred back on Patriots Day 2007. In a game against the Angels, JD Drew hit a pop-fly into the 3rd base stands and as one fan attempts to get the foul ball another fan decides to chuck his pizza at him. The three minute clip of Don and Jerry is just a perfect example of the chemistry these two had in the booth together.
3. “This Used To Be A Family Show”
Well then, that escalated quickly. Watching this you have to be amazed at the fact that Don was able to keep his composure throughout the at-bat. You know right next to him Jerry was laughing hysterically, obviously you can tell he was starting to lose it towards the end but who can blame him. It’s not every night you see a good old fashioned boob grab at Fenway.
2. Don and Jerry Learn How To Take A Selfie.
Watching the Red Sox play the Twins, eh. Watching Don and Jerry try to take a selfie, TV Gold.
1. Don the Dentist
The fact that Don can broadcast a professional baseball game, and attempt to fix Jerry’s missing tooth shows how great he was as a broadcaster. Watching all these clips back, I’m amazed that one minute he could act like a buddy you would shoot the breeze with at the bar, and the next he could turn into one of the best announcers in the business.
(Max credit for the Summer Teeth line. “You’ve got Summer teeth, some are there and some ain’t”)