Day 337: Red Sox New Sideline Reporter: Elle Duncan or Sarah Davis

NESN seems to go through female sideline reporters for the Red Sox broadcasts about as fast as Zsa Zsa Gabor goes through husbands. Not sure what it is about that position—possibly the lure of all those fit, good looking men sitting in the dugout not to far away? Or are Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy both a couple of despicable tyrants as coworkers? Maybe the trick is just start hiring trolls and maybe there will be no temptation.

We all know why Jenny Dell left the Red Sox broadcast team. Oh wait, she didn't leave, she was reassigned because she did fall to the temptation of one of those dugout dwellers. It was revealed a few months ago that not only were Dell and Boston third baseman, Will Middlebrooks dating, but they even lived together and things were clearly more serious than just a silly fling. I had the pleasure of meeting Jenny and she was really nice so I feel bad she got ousted from her post on the sidelines.

So now there seems to be a competition (although NESN claims it's not) for the recently vacated spot between two recent hires, Elle Duncan and Sarah Davis. NESN hasn't ruled out platooning the two women on the sidelines.

Davis, who most recently worked for Rogers Sportsnet in Toronto, has most recently hosted Soccer Central and Fox Soccer News for the network. Her other assignments included hosting UFC pre-fight programming and serving as the game-day host for the indoor lacrosse team, the Toronto Rock. She has also hosted pre-game shows for both the Maple Leafs and the Raptors. Impressive resume but there seems to be one thing missing—baseball.

Elle Duncan comes to NESN from 11 Alive in Atlanta where she was a traffic reporter but also worked the sidelines for the Atlanta Hawks. She also has eight years of radio experience and has contributed to the Atlanta Falcons pre- and post-game radio shows. Duncan also brings with her to Boston a criminal record. She was arrested in April 2013 for driving under the influence and reckless driving. She blew a 0.099 on the breathalyzer—just barely over the legal limit. Good thing Boston has public transportation.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing what these two can do in baseball since neither one of them has any experience reporting it. And also how each of them interacts with Don and Jerry. And if either falls under the spell of some single ballplayer. We shall see...

Day 302: Good News, Sox Fans! Jerry Remy will Return to Broadcast Booth.

Today is a happy, happy day! Jerry Remy has officially announced he WILL return to the broadcast booth for the 2014 Red Sox season. Yippeeeeee! (Picture me doing the Snoopy dance in my living room. But picture it with Snoopy actually doing it, not me... that way it won't look too trainwreck-ish.)

I remember so vividly driving down to Rhode Island on that bright, sunny morning of August 16th, listening to the Dennis and Callahan Show. Quickly, the news turned dark with reports that the long-time Red Sox broadcast color man's son Jared killed his girlfriend, stabbing her several times in her apartment after a struggle. Jennifer Martel, the victim, had obtained a restraining order just a few days prior but unfortunately, it couldn't save her life.

I just knew at that moment, we were going to lose Jerry Remy from the booth for some time as he dealt with this horrible tragedy. First that evil cancer stole him away... then the equally cruel depression... and now, his murderous son. While I was incredibly saddened by the news of Jerry's absence, I knew it was the right thing for him to do. Little did I know, it would keep him away from baseball for the rest of the 2013 World Series Championship season.

Even as recent as a couple weeks ago, I was talking to someone at NESN who said his return wasn't looking good. I was totally depressed. One of the things I love so much about watching the Sox games every night is the banter between Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy. No one else quite compares to the Remdawg although many have tried to take his place. I honestly couldn't handle another season of listening to Dennis Eckersley talk about pitchers throwing the "cheese." (Although I will say he has grown on me recently.)

From the article I read today, even as recent as New Years, Remy said he wouldn't return to NESN for the 2014 season. But then a few of his close friends and his wife finally succeeded in talking him into getting back to his job. It's what he knows... it's what he's good at... and it would be the thing to keep his mind busy as they prepare for his son's murder trial later this year. You can read the full article here and Remy's statement and question/answer session.

It's a sad, sad story... there's a little girl who has been left parentless and Jerry and his wife are currently trying to get custody. And then there was the question of his health—but that looks after a recent clean CT scan. After his recent period of basically being a hermit, Remy is ready to come back to Red Sox baseball and that truly delights me. Although I do see his dilemma... going back to life as usual must be incredibly difficult after such a horrifying event.

Welcome back, Remdawg... welcome back. And a heartfelt thanks to those who talked him into getting back in the booth!

Day 52: Jerry Remy: Commentator Extraordinaire or Playgirl Pinup?

Here's something I bet you didn't know about the former Red Sox second baseman turned NESN color commentator: he posed for Playgirl. Excuse me? The Remdawg is my centerfold? Well, ok... he didn't exactly make that coveted spot, but he was part of a special Playgirl's Second Annual Baseball All-Stars in the July 1984 issue.

According to a recent article on Baseball-Prospectus.com, the 31-year-old Remy posed in the issue with other baseball notables such as George Brett (who looks like he's having about as much fun as a root canal), Rickey Henderson (holy thighs!), Steve Sax and Dennis Eckersley... some of whom posed with not much on except a strategically placed towel or bubbles. Remy kept it PG though, with just a pair of swim trunks and a chest-hair sweater. And still rocking the really bad hairdo.

I wonder how much crap he got in the locker room for that side job? Do you think his teammates might have had just a little bit of fun with that page of the magazine? What do you guess Playgirl pays for this type of gig?

Check out Remy's stat sheet... or should I just call him Sex God from now on? *gag*

I wonder if Playgirl still does Baseball All-Star specials? Who would you like to see sans uniform? I can think of a few...

Day 13: Get Well Soon, Jerry Remy!

In late 2008, long-time Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy was diagnosed with lung cancer most likely caused by years of smoking. He had surgery in November of that year to remove a cancerous area on his lung and ended up suffering from complications from the surgery and the disease—infection, a bout with pneumonia and depression. He ended up missing a substantial portion of the 2009 Red Sox season.

I call 2009 the dark days of Red Sox broadcasting...

The RemDawg has been working in the broadcast booth for more than half my life and without him, games just aren't the same. I do love Don Orsillo, but you don't realize how important the color guy is until you have to listen to Dennis Eckersley talk about a "the cheese." I was hard to make it through that season—both for the torturous "cheese" talk and worrying that Jerry wouldn't ever make it back to the booth.

So imagine my shock when, in an interview with NESN, he revealed to Tom Caron that he had recently been treated for a relapse of lung cancer. Nooooooooooooooo! The doctors have been treating him with radiation and hopefully he won't have to have surgery again.

"And right now I'm fine," Jerry said. "I always told the fans of New England I would be honest with them if things health-wise with me where not great. I know the last couple of years I've missed some games not because of this, but because of regular colds, bronchitis, whatever it may be, and I always told the fans that I'd be honest with them and what I'd gone through. Last time I had cancer and depression. This time I've been diagnosed with cancer, but it's under control."

Unlike with his first bout, Jerry's spirits are high this time around.

"I'm very upbeat and positive about it," he said. "I don't have the same reaction to it I has last time. It was all very new to me last time. Being in close contact with my doctors is very important, very reassuring to me."

If you've been watching the Red Sox early on this season, it sounds like Jerry isn't planning on going anywhere anytime soon. He and Don are at the top of their game and seem to be having more fun this year than in recent seasons.

Get well soon, RemDawg! I'm not ready for life without you in the booth just yet.