Mike
03-02-03, 10:33 PM
McDonough ready to go: Sox voice candid as ever
http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/sports_columnists/bake03022003.htm
by Jim Baker
Sunday, March 2, 2003
With the Red Sox playing their first televised exhibition against a major-league foe today (Ch. 38, 1 p.m.), Sean McDonough is back for a 16th season, eighth with Jerry Remy alongside.
But to put it mildly, it's been a brutal winter for WSBK's popular and candid voice - with the death of father Will McDonough and displeasure over an undeserved and cost-motivated cut to only 28 in-season telecasts after seven tuneups. Don Orsillo, also a fine announcer, will call 123 (plus three warmups) on NESN, which has a dramatic boost from 89 games last season.
That, for openers, is NESN's stated reason for the play-calling imbalance. Orsillo, who'll make twice the bread of last season (and has a new home), works for NESN and McDonough does not. But Orsillo still would be less expensive than the more experienced McDonough if there wasn't a 95-game disparity and the cost-conscious Sox, who own NESN, clearly had that in mind in conspicuously limiting McDonough's load.
At least co-owner Tom Werner, who put together the TV lineup, had it as a key consideration, which prevailed over dissent among other Sox officials.
We'd like to believe frankness wasn't a factor in the 123-28 breakdown, but McDonough is clearly more likely to tell viewers how badly the Sox might be playing.
McDonough was sufficiently turned off by his vast cut that he nearly accepted a New York Mets pitch to succeed Gary Thorne and call 80 games. But his dad was instrumental in convincing him to stay and remain near the family.
Sean, who only recently agreed to terms, said Friday, ``The passing of my dad made me realize things like (the Sox cut) are not such a big deal in the grand scheme.'' He didn't say it but by sticking, his talent, versatility and long association with the team and its fans will keep him in good stead here over the long haul, especially if Sox ownership changes again.
As for the on-field product, McDonough plans to focus on the Sox' bullpen.
``That was their biggest problem last season and the difference remains to be seen. I always liked Ramiro Mendoza, who as a Yankee shut down the Sox. I don't see how this bullpen could be worse, even closing by committee. It's vital that the top two starters (Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe) stay healthy.
``If they do, I see the Red Sox winning very close to the same number of games.''
Ch. 38 has an eight-game exhibition slate, but Orsillo will call Tuesday's against the Yankees (1 p.m.) with McDonough unable to arrive in time from tomorrow night's Georgetown-West Virginia ESPN hoop commitment.
``I'll work the other seven,'' he said. Martinez' spring debut Thursday against the Yanks is a WEEI-only game. NESN's first of three exhibitions is at 6 Saturday night against Cincinnati.
Schedules collide
The Sox and Bruins face major NESN conflicts. The March 31 Sox season opener in Tampa (5:15 p.m.) will likely force NESN to join that night's Tampa-Bruins game (7) in progress, missing at least the first period unless a deal with AT&T3 is struck. Putting the Sox opener on Ch. 38 or Ch. 4 would have solved the problem, but the Sox haven't done that. NESN also has Sox-B's conflicts on April 1 and 5 and likely more if the B's make the playoffs.
Dennis Eckersley and Bob Tewksbury, NESN's new studio analysts, will debut before the opener - and likely together despite an otherwise alternating setup. But with the Sox-B's conflict, they'll have limited exposure that day with no ``Extra Innings'' postgame, NESN bolting to the B's.
Either could substitute as a game analyst if iron-man Remy needs a respite, and Eckersley, eligible for the Hall of Fame next year, indicated he'd relish being chosen, having filled that role for 25 A's games. He's blunt, too, saying he's ``looking forward to paying attention during a game, which can be a bore if you're not involved.''
http://www2.bostonherald.com/sport/sports_columnists/bake03022003.htm
by Jim Baker
Sunday, March 2, 2003
With the Red Sox playing their first televised exhibition against a major-league foe today (Ch. 38, 1 p.m.), Sean McDonough is back for a 16th season, eighth with Jerry Remy alongside.
But to put it mildly, it's been a brutal winter for WSBK's popular and candid voice - with the death of father Will McDonough and displeasure over an undeserved and cost-motivated cut to only 28 in-season telecasts after seven tuneups. Don Orsillo, also a fine announcer, will call 123 (plus three warmups) on NESN, which has a dramatic boost from 89 games last season.
That, for openers, is NESN's stated reason for the play-calling imbalance. Orsillo, who'll make twice the bread of last season (and has a new home), works for NESN and McDonough does not. But Orsillo still would be less expensive than the more experienced McDonough if there wasn't a 95-game disparity and the cost-conscious Sox, who own NESN, clearly had that in mind in conspicuously limiting McDonough's load.
At least co-owner Tom Werner, who put together the TV lineup, had it as a key consideration, which prevailed over dissent among other Sox officials.
We'd like to believe frankness wasn't a factor in the 123-28 breakdown, but McDonough is clearly more likely to tell viewers how badly the Sox might be playing.
McDonough was sufficiently turned off by his vast cut that he nearly accepted a New York Mets pitch to succeed Gary Thorne and call 80 games. But his dad was instrumental in convincing him to stay and remain near the family.
Sean, who only recently agreed to terms, said Friday, ``The passing of my dad made me realize things like (the Sox cut) are not such a big deal in the grand scheme.'' He didn't say it but by sticking, his talent, versatility and long association with the team and its fans will keep him in good stead here over the long haul, especially if Sox ownership changes again.
As for the on-field product, McDonough plans to focus on the Sox' bullpen.
``That was their biggest problem last season and the difference remains to be seen. I always liked Ramiro Mendoza, who as a Yankee shut down the Sox. I don't see how this bullpen could be worse, even closing by committee. It's vital that the top two starters (Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe) stay healthy.
``If they do, I see the Red Sox winning very close to the same number of games.''
Ch. 38 has an eight-game exhibition slate, but Orsillo will call Tuesday's against the Yankees (1 p.m.) with McDonough unable to arrive in time from tomorrow night's Georgetown-West Virginia ESPN hoop commitment.
``I'll work the other seven,'' he said. Martinez' spring debut Thursday against the Yanks is a WEEI-only game. NESN's first of three exhibitions is at 6 Saturday night against Cincinnati.
Schedules collide
The Sox and Bruins face major NESN conflicts. The March 31 Sox season opener in Tampa (5:15 p.m.) will likely force NESN to join that night's Tampa-Bruins game (7) in progress, missing at least the first period unless a deal with AT&T3 is struck. Putting the Sox opener on Ch. 38 or Ch. 4 would have solved the problem, but the Sox haven't done that. NESN also has Sox-B's conflicts on April 1 and 5 and likely more if the B's make the playoffs.
Dennis Eckersley and Bob Tewksbury, NESN's new studio analysts, will debut before the opener - and likely together despite an otherwise alternating setup. But with the Sox-B's conflict, they'll have limited exposure that day with no ``Extra Innings'' postgame, NESN bolting to the B's.
Either could substitute as a game analyst if iron-man Remy needs a respite, and Eckersley, eligible for the Hall of Fame next year, indicated he'd relish being chosen, having filled that role for 25 A's games. He's blunt, too, saying he's ``looking forward to paying attention during a game, which can be a bore if you're not involved.''