After fifteen years as the Boston Red Sox play-by-play broadcaster, Don Orsillo will not have his contract renewed and will leave the Red Sox after the 2015 season. The news was first reported by the Dennis & Callahan show and was later confirmed by multiple sources.
The move was surprising, to say the least, and the reaction from Red Sox fans was largely a sad one.
Orsillo has been the full time play-by-play broadcaster since 2001. He saw the Red Sox win three World Series in 2004, 2007, and 2013. He called four Red Sox no-hitters by Hideo Nomo (2001), Derek Lowe (2002), Clay Buchholz (2007), and Jon Lester (2008).
Orsillo had been teamed with former Red Sox second baseman Jerry Remy in the broadcast booth since the beginning of his tenure with Boston. Remy was emotional when asked about the decision to release Orsillo. He described his relationship with Orsillo as 'far more than professional'. He went on to say that, "For the last 15 years, it's been an absolute pleasure to work with Don."
Orsillo declined to comment after the news was released.
Orsillo is to be replaced by Dave O'Brien. O'Brien has been a play-by-play man with the New York Mets, working alongside Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. He has also worked at ESPN and has been one of the voices on the WEEI Red Sox radio network for almost a decade. There has been no announcement as to who will replace O'Brien but Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox voices Will Flemming and Josh Maurer are probably the favorites.
Most people, including Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, recognize that O'Brien will probably do very well in replacing Orsillo but still think it was a mistake by the Red Sox organization.
Orsillo reportedly learned that his contract would not be renewed over a week ago, but the Red Sox wished to release the news after the season.
Several Red Sox players were upset about the Orsillo news as well. When a reporter asked one player if he thought the Red Sox TV ratings would boost with Orsillo 'out of there', the anonymous player replied, "Good luck with that."
Dustin Pedroia was also quoted saying, “He’s the best. His personality — he’s hilarious. It’s not just me, but everyone gives him a hard time. Just a fun guy to be around. We’re going to miss him. I’m definitely going to miss him."
Pedroia was also confident that Orsillo will have plenty of options when it comes to getting hired for next season. “I’m pretty sure he’ll have his pick on where he wants to go, he’s pretty darn good. I’m just going to miss seeing him every day," Pedroia said.