![]() After all, without O’Brien being free of his contract with them, he’s not available to sign with NESN. At this point, it’s hard to say why his contract wasn’t renewed with WEEI. Which gets back to the O’Brien signing in the first place. That NESN has reached out to a half-dozen national and regional networks on Don's behalf to allow him to not only land softly, but in a prime position. A NESN spokesman reiterated what Tom Werner and Sean McGrail had shared with the Boston Herald and The New York Times. "The time Ernie Harwell was fired in Detroit for being too old"."Vince Cotroneo in Texas because a team president who didn't last two years decided he wanted someone else." Yes, all of them landed on their feet but it’s never a for sure thing and it’s never easy being shown the door for what some might say are dubious reasons.Īnd while NESN is nixing Orsillo in order to go in a new direction with O’Brien, they understand that he’s certainly not bad by any stretch. "Jon Miller in Baltimore for not being enough of a homer". The refrain from them is often decisions are made by network brass that make little sense. In speaking with more than one in the broadcast community, the firing of Orsillo has struck a nerve that has been hit before. 2, a link to the Dave Matthews track, “Out of My Hands” a not-so subtle commentary on where things will now lead him. Maybe the most telling comment by Orsillo came by way of this tweet from his account on Sept. The response has been as quiet as Fenway Park on December’s eve. In fact, NESN has asked him on more than one occasion if he wanted to speak to the media about the matter. ![]() He could blunt the blows raining down on NESN and the Red Sox if he wanted. Well, apparently the two didn’t think he was that great or his contract would have been renewed.Īnd yet the one that has been silent is Orsillo, himself. ![]() Obviously, this was a tough call for us.”Īdded McGrail, “Don is a great broadcaster. Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner and NESN President and CEO Sean McGrail were both quoted in The New York Times praising Orsillo, and yet doing so in a back-handed fashion. While I haven’t spoken with Orsillo, the overwhelming consensus around the matter is that he, of course, isn’t pleased with the move. The PR nightmare for NESN and the Red Sox has ensued, so much so that over 60,000 (and counting) have signed a petition addressed to Red Sox principle owner John Henry, NESN, and Fenway Sports Group asking them to keep Orsillo, and that’s on top of fans voicing their displeasure at Fenway Park. In doing so, Orsillo would be able to get in on potential openings faster than waiting until the postseason was over, and at the same time, NESN and the Red Sox wouldn’t be dealing with a PR situation with a little over a month left in the season. A few days after letting Orsillo know of his firing, NESN brass had a conversation with him and his agent Brad Blank about whether he wanted to announce that he was free right then and there, or wait until the regular season ended with the sides reportedly agreeing that it would occur at the end of the season. A few short hours after O’Brien was signed, NESN notified Orsillo that they wouldn’t be picking up his contract. They won’t say it’s a case of making a change for change sake, but the way they see it, having O’Brien become available will allow NESN to take things in a new direction, whatever that is.Īs said at the outset, it wasn’t supposed to end like this. There is nothing they will say he’s done wrong. The odd thing is, no one at NESN or the Red Sox have a bad thing to say about Orsillo. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images for BCH) Center benefitting Boston Children's Hospital Decemin Boston, Massachusetts. ![]() BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 2: Don Orsillo emcee's Champions for Children's Gala at Seaport World Trade. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |