NESN to Part Ways with Don Orsillo After Red Sox Season Ends

 

 

 

Orsillo has been NESN's play-by-play man since the beginning of the 2001 season (his first game included a no-hitter thrown by then Red Sox pitcher Hideo Nomo against the Baltimore Orioles). He also called Cal Ripken Jr.'s final game, as well as the no-hitters thrown by Derek Lowe in 2002 and young Sox pitchers Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

 

Orsillo has become a fan favorite along with Jerry Remy over the years, but was never a favorite of NESN’s vice president of programming and production/executive producer Joseph Maar. The departure is said to be due to conflict with NESN management.

 

Neither NESN or Orsillo have commented on the news.

 

Of course, tweets have been flying around the Twitter-verse all day, here are a few:

Firing someone is the cruelest thing you can do to them legally. So, there needs to be a good reason. Can't think of any for @DonOrsillo

— Bob Halloran (@BobWCVB) August 25, 2015

Don Orsillo not commenting out in Chicago but he doesn't have to. There is a great deal of unrest among Sox viewers. Orsillo is Family.

— Mike Lynch (@LynchieWCVB) August 25, 2015

Much love & respect for @DonOrsillo. He welcomed me w/ open arms & made me part of the family! Best in the business. pic.twitter.com/eWypTtVLTi

— Jenny Dell (@JennyDell_) August 25, 2015

Which is absolutely mind blowing. @DonOrsillo is one of the best in the business, in multiple sports. A true pro. https://t.co/fmg1mia0Ss

— Kathryn Tappen (@KathrynTappen) August 25, 2015

Remember when the #RedSox lost every game when @DonOrsillo was on vacation after the all-star break?

— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) August 25, 2015

The idea of blaming a team's ratings on its broadcasters is baffling, especially when Orsillo is a better left fielder than Hanley.

— DJ Bean (@DJ_Bean) August 25, 2015