The Boston Red Sox are nearing the end of a woeful season, running last in their division, thirteen-and-a-half out of first, leaving the taste of wormwood and gall in the mouth of every member of Red Sox nation.
All over New England, they have taken to watching something other than the broadcast of games on NESN. Masochism has its limits, even for Red Sox fans.
So management evidently decided drastic steps were in order and earlier this week made a dramatic move. The play-by-play announcer was fired.
As Chad Finn reports in the Boston Globe
For the faithful, the move came as a shock and resulted in the usual online petitions in support of Orsillo, who gamely managed to keep his own enthusiasm going this season even as the players, and many fans, seemed to have entirely lost theirs.
One wonders if the high priced, underperforming Red Sox expect that the teevee ratings will go up next year if the team’s won/lost percentage does not.
Ah, well, nice to be reminded from time to time that it is a business and that loyalty does not figure in. Not when you are dead last, thirteen-and-a-half out, and running out the string.
