What are your thoughts on the Monaco and DiNardo pairing on NESN?

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

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I know I'm pushing away from the center of the thread, but I've really liked McDonough on the radio this year. Eck is the only former player I've ever really liked. He's gold. And, FWIW, it has never been clear to me why McDonough was dumped now almost 20 years ago from the TV booth, especially because for quite a while I couldn't shake the sense that Orsillo was not so much calling the games but doing an impression of McDonough calling the games.
As I recall, Sean McDonough was letting some criticism of the team regularly creep into his broadcasts, and that was the main reason they let him go, even if it wasn't the stated reason (of course they wouldn't say that). I didn't think his dismissal was warranted, and I found myself agreeing with him most of the time. At the time, Orsillo did indeed sound Sean-lite whose directive was to be a cheerleader.
 

cantor44

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If I were to die tomorrow, I imagine the general SoSH recollection of me would be that I say "fuck" a lot and hate the work of Dave O'Brien. The following is a bit of both:

DOB is an AI chatbot. He picks up on "words to say" from other people: "off the green" “all filled up” “beats the rap” “lashes” (Castig); "lift and separate" "pair of shoes" "beautiful thing" etc (Eck), and regurgitates them devoid of enthusiasm, context, or personality.

I REALLY hate malapropisms, and DOB is the worst I’ve ever heard. “Dead away center” is not a thing. “Dead center” is, “straightaway center” is, and “Dead away center” fucking isn’t. No one else has ever called a count “all filled up”…that’s for bases, not balls and strikes. I genuinely dislike listening to him saying words aloud.

He blabbers out utterly meaningless stats/splits as if they are remotely relevant/predictive. “He’s hitting .666 in his last 17 home games where he took a really good well-tapered shit earlier that day and there’s a lefty starter who only masturbates on Wednesdays.”

He is a fucking jinx machine. Do I believe this has a real-world impact? I do! Not on the field, but in the fact it makes me want to smash shit in my house because every time he opens his fat fucking mouth about what is going well, bad shit happens. Harbingers suck even in the best of times, but especially when they take the form of middle-aged white guys who use too much Just for Men.

He constantly talks about how player X “loves” facing a team based on 3 games 7 years ago. Or how player Y is “due” or when player Z “loves facing this pitcher” based on 3 AB’s from the pitcher’s first career start 2 years ago.

Anyfuckingbody who calls a fucking fastball a fucking “swifty” needs to be working in a fucking Wendy’s drive-through, not telling me what’s going on in a fucking Boston Red Sox game.

He is awful at his job. Awful. Cataloging the last time he realized a ball was a HR off the bat is a “future tense” rather than “past tense” exercise. The 3-man booth was great not just because Eck and Remy are great together, but because they shut him the fuck up.

And yeah, all this is made worse because Don Orsillo is so fucking phenomenal at this job. Don is one of the best currently working, and he was brilliant with Remy. The one national Sox game he did this year was a joyful experience, and at the same time a sad one. Why in the everfucking fuck NESN let him go will always be a mystery to me. "Orsillo rounding third" probably ranks as a top-10 moment in regular-season Red Sox broadcast history.



edit: I also think people who have bad memories of some of the sillier Remy/Orsillo stuff forget that they usually seemed to happen in blowouts, often with the Sox being blown out. Bad times make for bad memories if you're not careful.
I like DOB but I still LOVE this post. Goddamn this is such a fucking good read - so hilarious! (not being sarcastic - delighted by this post, so funny).
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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As I recall, Sean McDonough was letting some criticism of the team regularly creep into his broadcasts, and that was the main reason they let him go, even if it wasn't the stated reason (of course they wouldn't say that). I didn't think his dismissal was warranted, and I found myself agreeing with him most of the time. At the time, Orsillo did indeed sound Sean-lite whose directive was to be a cheerleader.
I thought McDonough was phased out because of salary. That's not to say he wasn't critical of the team and that played a role, but isn't the main reason pretty much anyone is let go by NESN cost? McDonough had national gigs and had been around for nearly 20 years. By the end they were probably paying him 5X what Orsillo cost and only getting 20-30% of the production (he called maybe 1 game a week). When Orsillo got to a point where he was too expensive, he was sent on his way as well. DOB, on the other hand, seems like he views the gig as his dream spot and probably hasn't demanded market value.
 

grimshaw

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Hesitant to quote from reddit, but this seems to be the summary of why Sean was let go. https://www.reddit.com/r/redsox/comments/3iesq1/the_last_time_nesn_fired_a_favorite_red_sox/

There is little difference in skill level IMO if you were to put Orsillo vs O'Brien as national announcers for the casual fan. They are both pros who come prepped and can adequately describe the action and understand the ebbs and flows. Orsillo gets the job done nationally, but you wouldn't get a sense of his personality or be able to assess his chemistry with the color guy because he doesn't get a chance to shine in that format. I tune into Padres games regardless of where they had been in the standings because he still sounds like he wants to be there for every broadcast and can get genuine laughs from his partner.

The only thing that keeps me sane listening to O'Brien over the course of a season is that my brother thinks he sounds like Principal Skinner and I can't get that out of my head. I don't have much to add here because all his detractors sum it up well.

Monaco seems to be in the pro vein as well, and so far the chemistry appears to be there with Eck who has it with everyone unlike Remy who gets a bit stiff with new guys like Andy Sipowicz did. Dinardo is more like the best replacement level talent they have. Fewer cliches than the typical ex-player, but nothing great.
 
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Bertha

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I will echo the love for Bergs’ post.
I liked Monaco quite a bit, and feel that Lenny has potential.

I simply cannot take DOB anymore, at least not with Burks, due to zero useful information or analysis.

I Would not be averse to a statcast type of broadcast that included Alex Speier.

I had the sound on until bottom 2, after the Renfroe top of the monster hit. DOB says repeatedly that Cora is calling over to Kevin cash wondering what the review is for. Clear as day, “Laz, Laz” followed by walking out to talk to the home plate ump, who coincidentally happens to be named Laz.

I finally turned the sound back up for bottom 10, to immediately get the mutual WTF reaction to the balk by DOB and. Burks. It was clearly intentional. “Cannot believe he would do this in such a close game”. Really!!! I he possibly that stupid??? That run means absolutely nothing unless an additional run scores this inning. Maybe he was a threat to steal signs, maybe man on second is more distracting to the pitcher. Maybe the former player could weigh in with a theory.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I finally turned the sound back up for bottom 10, to immediately get the mutual WTF reaction to the balk by DOB and. Burks. It was clearly intentional. “Cannot believe he would do this in such a close game”. Really!!! I he possibly that stupid??? That run means absolutely nothing unless an additional run scores this inning. Maybe he was a threat to steal signs, maybe man on second is more distracting to the pitcher. Maybe the former player could weigh in with a theory.
That drove me nuts too (and I'm pretty agnostic about DOB and Burks). The simplest and most obvious reason to do that is so McHugh could pitch from the windup. Which is exactly what he did. It didn't pay off since Iglesias singled and forced McHugh to the stretch anyway, but it seemed pretty clear to me.
 

Bergs

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I finally turned the sound back up for bottom 10, to immediately get the mutual WTF reaction to the balk by DOB and. Burks. It was clearly intentional. “Cannot believe he would do this in such a close game”. Really!!! I he possibly that stupid??? That run means absolutely nothing unless an additional run scores this inning. Maybe he was a threat to steal signs, maybe man on second is more distracting to the pitcher. Maybe the former player could weigh in with a theory.
WEEI immediately knew what was up on that. Color me unsurprised DOB didn't get it, although I am a bit surprised Burks didn't. Ellis is boring as shit, but I haven't thought of him as being that clueless.
 

jon abbey

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Kenley Jansen has done that a few times this year, I believe.
 

cantor44

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WEEI immediately knew what was up on that. Color me unsurprised DOB didn't get it, although I am a bit surprised Burks didn't. Ellis is boring as shit, but I haven't thought of him as being that clueless.
With all due respect Ellis is pretty clueless and sometimes offers contradictory platitudes in the same sentence ....pains me to say that, as I loved him as a player, but a broadcaster he is not ....
 

jeff_moffett

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My random thoughts, I really liked Orsillo but I don't dislike DOB. I just don't like him as much. With Remy and Eck it's pretty much OK but when it's just one other guy he reverts to radio mode substituting random repetitive observations/comments where frankly dead air would be better. Just let the game happen, you don't have to fill every second with some comment. I like the banter that happens with Remy and Eck. Dinardo has done well. Ellis Burks does an OK job but occasionally turns into captain obvious and just reiterates what DOB says or adds nothing new. He's gotten better as the season has gone on however and he has some promise but needs some coaching.

I've never been a fan of color guys who talk about their own career. We've been there and done that. At times it's appropriate but I feel like DOB tries to pull too much of that out of his color guys. Talk about this team not those in the past. Ellis seems to revert to story telling mode but only about himself. Dinardo maybe didn't have the same career so he seems to do a better job of putting his experiences into the now. Eck played so long his observations are relevant and he just speaks a different language which makes it interesting. Remy is awesome. He calls a great game, makes astute observations, is humble and entertaining. I just fear we won't see a lot of him going forward.
 

irinmike

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I would like to know when Dave O Boring's contract is up. For the first time ever this year I turn the volume off during game broadcasts. I liked Monaco alot, and since Orsillo is not coming back I would love to see Monaco become the voice of the Red Sox on NESN. I gave Dave O Boring all the leeway I could the first few years he did play by play. Now in year six of his time behind the mike, I have grown to dislike his predictable comments more and more. It is high time for him to go, and Monaco would be great relacement.
 

grimshaw

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WEEI immediately knew what was up on that. Color me unsurprised DOB didn't get it, although I am a bit surprised Burks didn't. Ellis is boring as shit, but I haven't thought of him as being that clueless.
I was listening too. They called it an "intentional balk" within 10 seconds of it happening.

When Sean is on with Joe it's perfect because Flemming is never on play by play and chimes in like once every 5 minutes. At least Flemming doesn't step over Sean's wit.

OB was infuriating within 5 minutes and I muted him.
 

BringBackMo

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Ellis Burks does an OK job but occasionally turns into captain obvious and just reiterates what DOB says or adds nothing new. He's gotten better as the season has gone on however and he has some promise but needs some coaching.
I was coming to say this very thing. Burks has been quite bad, but we’re being a little hard on him. Because of how NESN rotates its broadcasters, he hasn’t had an opportunity to work on his game night after night. Despite this, there have definitely been improvements. Yesterday, for instance, he noted within the natural flow of the game that—I think during the Meadows at bat— Whitlock had missed his spot despite getting a fouled-strike that seemed like a good result. And when Vasquez botched his bunt attempt, Burks noted that he’d stabbed at it and that what you want to do is try to “catch” the ball with your bat, almost like you’d do with a glove.

Are those obvious observations, the kind we’ve heard a million times? Absolutely, but they’re also precisely the kinds of things he wasn’t noting before. I think maybe the game is slowing down for him and he’s getting better. Maybe the surest sign? At one point he said, “Dave, I just want one opportunity to catch a foul ball, just one!”

O’Brien immediately felt his usual need to trample all over a moment with his forced jocularity: “And my money’s on you! I bet you’d make that play! Hahahahahaha”

To which Ellis simply replied: “Good bet.” It was a moment of genuine wit and fun from him, his real personality. And, again, the kind of thing that can happen when the nerves begin to pass and the game slows down. I think it’s too early to write him off is all I’m saying.
 

Rovin Romine

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I was coming to say this very thing. Burks has been quite bad, but we’re being a little hard on him. Because of how NESN rotates its broadcasters, he hasn’t had an opportunity to work on his game night after night.
I do feel somewhat badly for Burks. He's approaching a laughingstock.

If NESN had any organization to it, they'd first audition and then actively train* their color commentators, instead of just sticking them in the booth to find out what happens, and hoping they'll get better.

(*And when someone points out they do this, the response will be - "Train them to an average standard of competence.")
 

ookami7m

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I will echo the love for Bergs’ post.
I liked Monaco quite a bit, and feel that Lenny has potential.

I simply cannot take DOB anymore, at least not with Burks, due to zero useful information or analysis.
Burks is what kills it for me. I don't mind DOB as he's just a generic announcer and I'd argue that he's better at TV than Fleming is on radio. And I liked DOB on the radio. Burks brings nothing other than a "I played here" thing to the game - he's worse than Merloni was and that's about all I need to say for that.

Eck has said he doesn't want to do all the games multiple times, and obviously his love seems to be nearly unanimous here. Remy's illness obviously keeps him out. What I'd love to see is more of Dinardo and Monaco as I think they aren't perfect but they show a lot of promise and bring a different feel to the broadcast.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I do feel somewhat badly for Burks. He's approaching a laughingstock.

If NESN had any organization to it, they'd first audition and then actively train* their color commentators, instead of just sticking them in the booth to find out what happens, and hoping they'll get better.

(*And when someone points out they do this, the response will be - "Train them to an average standard of competence.")
I think the trouble with this idea is that Burks is only in the booth right now because they need to cover for Remy's unplanned absence. Burks might be the choice solely because he's available and willing. So no real chance to train anyone. Really, there's no real training to be had. This is a job you can't really practice effectively. You just have to jump in and swim.
 

Rovin Romine

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I think the trouble with this idea is that Burks is only in the booth right now because they need to cover for Remy's unplanned absence. Burks might be the choice solely because he's available and willing. So no real chance to train anyone. Really, there's no real training to be had. This is a job you can't really practice effectively. You just have to jump in and swim.
True - yet I think there must be no shortage of former major leaguers who'd like a check for being in the booth?

As for practice, I'm of the mind there's not much in human experience (especially dealing with communication) you can't practice. There's no reason ESPN can't pay a guy or two to spend a week going over past broadcasts and cues with Burks. Other color-men: examples of what to do, what not to do. His own stuff: where he nailed it, and his worst couple of things to work on/avoid.
1) Get him a list of talking points to think about, and spend some time actually doing them to a recording or two of a game. Probably about 95% of coaching-commentary can be repurposed as color commentary. How to stuff: approaching a pitcher. Difficulties of batting. Situational hitting. What players are or need to be looking at at any given moment. Generally, it's all the backwards looking "just happened" stuff: what's a good play, what's a better play or worse play than what you saw - why that might or might not be reasonable to expect.​
2) Do another run with "put a reasonably intelligent 8th grader in their shoes stuff." The various roles on the club. How it feels to be a rookie.​
That's really all you need as a fill-in, but you can go for:​
3) Predictive/forward-looking commentary, likely stat-based, such as noting shifts and talking about expected outcomes. Or commenting on pitching sequencing while it's gong on and what you expect to see. That's more advanced and requires folding real time analysis into your comments. (Eck is great at this, BTW.)​
4) Lastly there's the anecdotal. Everyone can do it, so it's really a strength to be fought. Less is more, etc. But I honestly think if you've got the rest of the framework working, your anecdotes will tend to shine more.​

What you don't want is obvious stuff only, like, "Man, a hit to tie the game sure would be nice." Or does-not-add anecdotal, like, "I'll never forget the first time I stole a base in extra-innings."

Anyway, all that can be thought about and practiced.

***

As a somewhat related thought, Eck's great not only because he's colloquially saucy, but because he's a generalizer.

He can:
1) look at something specific (a play, or a pitch, or a sequence),
2) admire it for itself,
3) make the coaching comments,
4) relate it to other stuff, and
5) come up with associations/anecdotes.

His expressions/anecdoes get remembered, but the way he uses them is perhaps more important.
 

cantor44

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I think the trouble with this idea is that Burks is only in the booth right now because they need to cover for Remy's unplanned absence. Burks might be the choice solely because he's available and willing. So no real chance to train anyone. Really, there's no real training to be had. This is a job you can't really practice effectively. You just have to jump in and swim.
How do we know they don't audition and train their broadcasters? I'd bet good money they absolutely audition them, and then give them notes after broadcasts. This is professional television. Now ... they DID choose Burks, so that says something about their judgement. Then again, he may have been good in his test, and is stiffer when it's showtime ....
 

soxhop411

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I do feel somewhat badly for Burks. He's approaching a laughingstock.

If NESN had any organization to it, they'd first audition and then actively train* their color commentators, instead of just sticking them in the booth to find out what happens, and hoping they'll get better.

(*And when someone points out they do this, the response will be - "Train them to an average standard of competence.")
I think the trouble with this idea is that Burks is only in the booth right now because they need to cover for Remy's unplanned absence. Burks might be the choice solely because he's available and willing. So no real chance to train anyone. Really, there's no real training to be had. This is a job you can't really practice effectively. You just have to jump in and swim.
It’s kind of funny. The Pawsox were literally a pipeline for many of the sports broadcasters we hear today.

You know the day you get into the industry,” Josh Maurer said, “you want to get to Pawtucket.”

In the last 20 years, the Pawtucket Red Sox sent nine broadcasters to either the major leagues or the NFL. The rest of the minor leagues combined — what had until this year been 260 affiliated teams, including the other 29 Triple-A franchises — sent 20.

How did this become the place?

“We’re a bit like USC with running backs here,” general manager Dan Rea said. “It’s a very nice lineage, and it goes back to Ben Mondor and Mike Tamburro and the value they placed on having really strong broadcasters.”
The PawSox first struck gold with Gary Cohen, their second-ever radio broadcaster back in the late 1980s. Cohen, whom Pawtucket hired out of Durham, spent two years at McCoy Stadium before being hired by the Mets. He’s now in his 33rd year calling New York’s games, and he’s been nominated for the Ford C. Frick award, presented by the Hall of Fame.

It wasn’t until more than a decade after Cohen, however, that Pawtucket would send its second broadcaster to the majors in Don Orsillo — and that’s when the job started morphing into that so-called golden ticket.

Orsillo (1996-2000) was hired by the Red Sox for the 2001 season; the two announcers who replaced him, Dave Flemming and Andy Freed, were hired by the Giants in 2004 and the Devil Rays in 2005, respectively. Dave Jageler spent one season in Pawtucket before being hired by the Nationals in 2006. Hoard was hired by the Bengals in 2011. Like Jageler, Aaron Goldsmith spent a season at McCoy before being called up by the Mariners in 2013. Bob Socci was with the PawSox for half a season before becoming the Patriots’ radio announcer in 2013. Jeff Levering was there for two years before Milwaukee hired him in 2015. Will Flemming, Maurer’s partner from 2015 through 2018, was promoted by the Red Sox ahead of the 2019 season.
The Triple-A PawSox are no more, but their legacy lives on in broadcast booths nationwide
The Triple-A PawSox are no more, but their legacy lives on in broadcast booths nationwide
https://theathletic.com/2572966/2021/05/07/the-triple-a-pawsox-are-no-more-but-their-legacy-lives-on-in-broadcast-booths-nationwide/?source=user_shared_article
 
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Red(s)HawksFan

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How do we know they don't audition and train their broadcasters? I'd bet good money they absolutely audition them, and then give them notes after broadcasts. This is professional television. Now ... they DID choose Burks, so that says something about their judgement. Then again, he may have been good in his test, and is stiffer when it's showtime ....
Because it's extremely difficult to audition/train people for color commentary. Sure, you can sit them in front of a TV and give them an old game and have them "call it" but the environment isn't the same as a live broadcast. As with anything, it's something that takes reps to get good at. Remy wasn't exactly a natural when he started. He was a part-timer who learned and grew into the job, eventually getting the full time gig and becoming the beloved RemDawg we know today. Eck had done a bunch of national work so he came to NESN with some experience. They make it look easy when it really isn't.

Soxhop makes a good point about the Pawtucket pipeline (though that's mostly PBP guys). NESN has been broadcasting a ton of Worcester home games this year (more than what used to be typical). That's a spot where they could be giving guys reps in order to "train" Remy and Eck's successors. You'd think they'd have considered that given Remy's health over the last 5-6 years. There hasn't been a season since his initial cancer diagnosis where he hasn't missed time, both planned and unplanned. Yet beyond convincing Eck to do more games (but still not all games) they haven't really addressed replacing Remy permanently. It's just been a conga line of former players rotating through, most not getting enough reps to grow and settle into the role, perhaps because a lot of them aren't treating it like a new career they intend to stick with and excel in.
 

BringBackMo

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I think the trouble with this idea is that Burks is only in the booth right now because they need to cover for Remy's unplanned absence. Burks might be the choice solely because he's available and willing. So no real chance to train anyone. Really, there's no real training to be had. This is a job you can't really practice effectively. You just have to jump in and swim.
I don't think this is right. The plan heading into the season was to have Burks doing occasional play by play as well as in-studio work. From that link:
"Burks, who played for the Red Sox from 1987-93 and again in 2004, will be an occasional color analyst on the game broadcasts along with Jerry Remy and Dennis Eckersley. Burks will also be part of the pregame and postgame studio programs."

As far as filling in during Remy's absence, my sense is that it's been DiNardo who's been helping out there, as well as just having O'Brien and Eck work as a duo rather than the planned trio more frequently than was expected.

I’m any case, I’ll just restate my opinion that Burks HAS been quite bad but also seems to be improving. How many games has he even had to work on it? Ten? Fifteen? I think there’s a chance that, in time, he could become as serviceable as any other milquetoast former ballplayer serving up bland nothingness in the booth. Rick Sutcliffe? David Ross? We’ve been spoiled by Eck and Remy (who had a rough start of his own, by the way.) The bar is really not that high.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I don't think this is right. The plan heading into the season was to have Burks doing occasional play by play as well as in-studio work. From that link:
"Burks, who played for the Red Sox from 1987-93 and again in 2004, will be an occasional color analyst on the game broadcasts along with Jerry Remy and Dennis Eckersley. Burks will also be part of the pregame and postgame studio programs."

As far as filling in during Remy's absence, my sense is that it's been DiNardo who's been helping out there, as well as just having O'Brien and Eck work as a duo rather than the planned trio more frequently than was expected.

I’m any case, I’ll just restate my opinion that Burks HAS been quite bad but also seems to be improving. How many games has he even had to work on it? Ten? Fifteen? I think there’s a chance that, in time, he could become as serviceable as any other milquetoast former ballplayer serving up bland nothingness in the booth. Rick Sutcliffe? David Ross? We’ve been spoiled by Eck and Remy (who had a rough start of his own, by the way.) The bar is really not that high.
In saying Burks is there because of Remy's absence, I didn't mean to imply they didn't have plans for him to do some games anyway. But I think he's getting more games because of Remy's absence. In particular, I really don't think a September series against the Rays is a spot they planned for Burks rather than Remy. Frankly, I'm kinda surprised Eck isn't there as it seems like these series would be primed for a three-man booth with Eck and Remy.
 

BringBackMo

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In saying Burks is there because of Remy's absence, I didn't mean to imply they didn't have plans for him to do some games anyway. But I think he's getting more games because of Remy's absence. In particular, I really don't think a September series against the Rays is a spot they planned for Burks rather than Remy. Frankly, I'm kinda surprised Eck isn't there as it seems like these series would be primed for a three-man booth with Eck and Remy.
Ah, well you may well be right about that. It’s definitely possible that he’s seeing more work than expected. And I do agree that it would be better to allow him to experience growing pains in June series against the Royals or Rangers.
 

Eddie Bressoud

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So glad to see this discussion.

DOB was set up for failure when NESN chose to replace Don Orsillo and picked him. He would rather be a color analyst than the PBP guy. I agree it was much better when Eck and Remdawg were both in the booth. Eck and Remdawg directed 90% of their comments to each other, which kept DOB focused on his PBP duties.

Most times now I put on the radio and mute the TV. McDonough is a great complement to Joe C and they are both very strong. Fleming, was good last year, but now does a little too much managing from the booth, which is a distraction.
 

Manramsclan

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Mike Monaco is impressing me again today with Eck and Ellis Burks in the booth.

He lets them cook and then adds in statements of fact, and game action calls seamlessly. Occasionally, he will prompt one of them with a question and then gets out of the way.

Great stuff.
 

JimM

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I think Eck brings out the best in whoever is working with him. The comments on Robby Rays pants had me dying, and Ellis floored me with the veins comment. I can't believe he would have said anything if Eck doesn't start it.
 

Harry Hooper

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Ellis deserves credit for talking about how the Chicago batter would be affected during his AB after smashing the balll off his shin.
 

cantor44

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I think Eck brings out the best in whoever is working with him. The comments on Robby Rays pants had me dying, and Ellis floored me with the veins comment. I can't believe he would have said anything if Eck doesn't start it.
No question. Eck's presence really helped Burks ... I found Burks to be much better next to Eck!
 

BringBackMo

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Just to bang this drum once more: there is nothing that DiNardo is bringing tonight that is any more interesting or insightful than what Burks typically offers. Bland, milquetoast observations from the booth are the stock in trade of former ballplayers doing color commentary. Eck and Remy have spoiled us.
 

nvalvo

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Jul 16, 2005
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Rogers Park
I find Monaco pretty bland. Replacement level announcer.
The thing about replacement level announcing is that, as in on-field contributions, it's actually a very high level and you really miss it when you don't have it.

Remember 2009, when Julio Lugo, Alex Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie were all hurt at the same time (or at least that's how I remember it) so the Red Sox needed Nick Green to step up and provide about half a season's worth of precisely replacement level SS? He did, and that team made the playoffs.
 

Al Zarilla

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Dec 8, 2005
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San Andreas Fault
Don Orsillo gem tonight. Announcing the Padres-Giants game and Buster Posey comes up. Orsillo says Buster has one of the prettiest right handed swings you'll ever see. He's right, and a pretty astute comment about an opposing player. Can't imagine DOB coming forth with one like that.
 

ookami7m

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Jul 15, 2005
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Half way through tonight’s game and I don’t get the hate for Dinardo in this thread. He’s probably the 2nd best player color guy (behind eck obviously) this team has had in a while. He’s been pretty astute on pitching stuff for both sides of the game. He’s rough around the edges but I’d be happy to see him get more chances.
 

Van Everyman

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Apr 30, 2009
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Don Orsillo gem tonight. Announcing the Padres-Giants game and Buster Posey comes up. Orsillo says Buster has one of the prettiest right handed swings you'll ever see. He's right, and a pretty astute comment about an opposing player. Can't imagine DOB coming forth with one like that.
Is this parody? Posey has been a huge star for a very long time, and in the same division.
I didn’t see this posted, so apologies if I missed it. The Globe is carrying Burks’ water which makes me think he’s going to continue to be a thing which bothers me since he seems to be terrible.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/09/13/sports/former-red-sox-ellis-burks-could-play-he-talks-good-game-too/
I thought the same thing. With the thrust of the piece being about how few black players there are in the game and in Boston, my sense was that Washburn was trying to tip the scales a bit. A laudable goal, and he seemed better when paired with Eck in a three man booth during the Chicago trip, but Ellis still has a long way to.
 

Al Zarilla

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Is this parody? Posey has been a huge star for a very long time, and in the same division.

I thought the same thing. With the thrust of the piece being about how few black players there are in the game and in Boston, my sense was that Washburn was trying to tip the scales a bit. A laudable goal, and he seemed better when paired with Eck in a three man booth during the Chicago trip, but Ellis still has a long way to.
It's just that I think Obrien is too busy spouting stats for RedSox players to give homage to an opponent player. I'll keep an ear out for that kind of thing from now on though.
 

ColdSoxPack

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Jul 14, 2005
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Is this parody? Posey has been a huge star for a very long time, and in the same division.

I thought the same thing. With the thrust of the piece being about how few black players there are in the game and in Boston, my sense was that Washburn was trying to tip the scales a bit. A laudable goal, and he seemed better when paired with Eck in a three man booth during the Chicago trip, but Ellis still has a long way to.
Double agree. I fear for Sox nation.