After a family tragedy, Jerry Remy's future remains uncertain
Sam Galanis
Contributing Writer
It’s not often that you’ll hear me calling something written by Dan Shaughnessy “poignant” or “sensitive,” but his column today about Jerry Remy and whether or not he’ll return to the booth this season is just that. Fans would love to hear their beloved announcer once again, but as Shaughnessy said, the situation is “awful and awkward.” Remy’s son Jared is being accused of the murder of Jennifer Martel, with whom he has a four-year-old daughter. A woman is dead, and a child is left without a mother, and potentially a father, and yet a decision on what happens to Jerry Remy’s career needs to be made.
Shaughnessy raises many interesting questions about the situation, which may be answered this month, as NESN has already given Remy an offer to return. The network sees no problem with Remy in the booth. The fans don’t either. But does Remy?
“Is Remy obligated to retire permanently because of his son’s alleged transgression?” Shaughnessy said. “If Remy returns, will he be perceived as insensitive to the Martel family and other families (including his own) affected by Jared Remy’s crime history? Will there be more damaging stories uncovered in the months and years ahead? Is Remy obligated to take questions from the media and the public if he decides to return? And how is it possible to go back to the magical Remy-Orsillo formula of humor and banter during Sox telecasts?”
To most, it would probably seem okay for a man to return to doing something he loves as a way to heal. But when that thing happens to be making jokes and having fun for millions of people, being in the public eye, is it a different story? That’s a decision that only Remy can make. And it’s more important for both families to be at peace than for Red Sox fans to get what they want.
I can’t say much more than what Shaughnessy already said, and I recommend reading his column. But what I can say is that RedSoxLife sends its condolences to the Martel and Remy families, and as much as we’d love to hear RemDawg return, we respect any decision that he makes.
Comment or follow me @_SamMG
Contributing Writer
It’s not often that you’ll hear me calling something written by Dan Shaughnessy “poignant” or “sensitive,” but his column today about Jerry Remy and whether or not he’ll return to the booth this season is just that. Fans would love to hear their beloved announcer once again, but as Shaughnessy said, the situation is “awful and awkward.” Remy’s son Jared is being accused of the murder of Jennifer Martel, with whom he has a four-year-old daughter. A woman is dead, and a child is left without a mother, and potentially a father, and yet a decision on what happens to Jerry Remy’s career needs to be made.
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Elise Amendola/AP |
Shaughnessy raises many interesting questions about the situation, which may be answered this month, as NESN has already given Remy an offer to return. The network sees no problem with Remy in the booth. The fans don’t either. But does Remy?
“Is Remy obligated to retire permanently because of his son’s alleged transgression?” Shaughnessy said. “If Remy returns, will he be perceived as insensitive to the Martel family and other families (including his own) affected by Jared Remy’s crime history? Will there be more damaging stories uncovered in the months and years ahead? Is Remy obligated to take questions from the media and the public if he decides to return? And how is it possible to go back to the magical Remy-Orsillo formula of humor and banter during Sox telecasts?”
To most, it would probably seem okay for a man to return to doing something he loves as a way to heal. But when that thing happens to be making jokes and having fun for millions of people, being in the public eye, is it a different story? That’s a decision that only Remy can make. And it’s more important for both families to be at peace than for Red Sox fans to get what they want.
I can’t say much more than what Shaughnessy already said, and I recommend reading his column. But what I can say is that RedSoxLife sends its condolences to the Martel and Remy families, and as much as we’d love to hear RemDawg return, we respect any decision that he makes.
Comment or follow me @_SamMG
