Dear Mr. Henry, Mr. Werner and Mr. Lucchino:
Disgusted legions of baseball fans turn its abused eardrums to you seeking relief. As baseball fans we do not ask for much, an occasional World Series title, a quality product on the field, a fan friendly experience and quality announcers.
We, the undersigned, certify that we are either loyal, devoted fans of Boston Red Sox baseball or loyal fans of the sport of baseball. As fans of the game we, the undersigned, feel that a franchise with the stature and history of the Boston Red Sox deserve to be represented by thorough and competent radio broadcasters. This ensures that the experience of Boston Red Sox baseball on the radio is both pleasurable for the loyal Red Sox fan and enjoyable for the fans of baseball in general.
In years past we were treated to the sounds and descriptions of the games that were provided to us by Curt Gowdy, Jim Woods and Ned Martin. Joe Castiglione continues on with the grand tradition of that broadcasting excellence. It is a shame and a disservice to Mr. Castiglione and fans of baseball on the radio that he be subjected to working a majority of the season with an inferior broadcasting partner. Mr. Castiglione and baseball fans everywhere deserve a better fate.
We ask that you bring Dave O’Brien to the booth full time or, in lieu of that, you hire a quality announcer to fill in for Mr. O’Brien during his ESPN commitments.
With this said, we the undersigned, feel it is time for the removal of Glenn Geffner from the Entercom/Boston Red Sox radio booth. The charges, against Mr. Geffner are many and below we present a partial pertinent list.
1. Geffner, while broadcasting games along the Red Sox radio network, appears to have never relinquished his position as the Vice President of Communications with the club. In effect, he is broadcasting games as a company whore. This is a large conflict of interest and a disservice to Red Sox and baseball fans everywhere.
2. While apparently “an encyclopedia of baseball knowledge†Geffner has no clue as to when to interject a fact, a story or tidbit to keep the flow and continuity of the game moving forward. We expected Encyclopedia Britannica and instead we got rain man.
3. Geffner feels his stories, facts or tidbits are more important than the game on the field often covering or glossing over the ongoing action in order to finish the long winded diatribe he started.
4. The chemistry in the booth, or lack there of, between Geffner and the voice of the Boston Red Sox Joe Castiglione is evident even to the casual listener of Red Sox baseball on the radio. While there is also no chemistry between Geffner and Dave O’Brien as well it is unfair to criticize as the two rarely work together.
5. Geffner’s apparent broadcasting experience is limited as he is unpolished, coltish and unpoised in his delivery. He does not know when to interject or when to back off. After nearly an entire season there has been no improvement in his game delivery.
6. A franchise with the stature of the Boston Red Sox should have two (or three) highly talented broadcasters calling the games. The reasons are two fold because first off the club can afford to pay the talent. Secondly, the radio calls are still the connection that many loyal fans have to this team. People listen to larger segments of the games on the radio, especially on weekends and for day games. They are the voice of the franchise and the eyes of the fans.
7. Geffner rarely if ever criticizes the players or the organization even when it is deserved preferring instead the “life is beautiful†approach to the game. It is evident he is afraid to be critical in light of his position as the Vice President of Communications.
8. Geffner fails to paint the picture of the game for the listener. He rarely tells you what a pitch was, which way the shortstop went to field the ball, fails to use descriptive phrases and regularly relies on minutia that has nothing to do with the game.
9. Geffner fails to understand the pace of a baseball game. Each game sounds as if it is the first game he has ever seen. The action becomes rushed, his words jumble together and his pronunciation and enunciation is terrible.
If you support the petition for the removal of Glenn Geffner from the Entercom/Boston Red Sox radio booth , please click here to sign the petition.
A Petition For the Removal of Glenn Geffner from the Entercom/Boston Red Sox Radio Booth
Bring back Trupiano!
Also, Mike Schuster is a turd.
If you dont like Geffner’s voice, turn down the sound.
I like his voice. He sounds like an attractive young man.
I agree. He sounds like the kind of guy you’d want to have a drink with.
I dont think there’s anything wrong with his voice.
I might be available.
What’s wrong with his voice?
I dunno. He sounds like the kind of guy you;d want to have a drink with.
He sounds like an attractive young man.
He is awful.
Geffner sounds like he’s broadcasting from a Chinese restaurant.
If you think Geffner is bad, let’s get him fired and get me the job!! I’ll show you bad.
I really miss Trupiano. His “way back!” was priceless. And he had a lot of chemistry with Castiglione. Please bring him back. Trup and Castiglione were a great team.
If you knew what I knew about Geffner, you’d want him gone, too.
Reminds me of this guy who tried to announce for the New Britain Red Sox.
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And who would that be?
Anyhow, sack the guy.
Right now
I was wondering what happened to your site Lou. I made the change.
We need to keep drumming up the support. I’ve emailed tons of people so let’s keep spreading the word.
Geffner sounds like a hyperactive, know-it-all college student announcing a Division 3 football game. He floods the air with a torrent of information (much of it better kept to himself), never understanding that a few seconds of dead air won’t cause listeners to check out. He’s exhausting. He’s also a “house” man, never seeming to understand that Sox fans are knowledgeable and understand the team’s flaws and failings. It’s OK to criticize. Instead, he is a shill, seemingly afraid to lose his job.
Finally, Joe Castig deserves better. He’s a class act, who clearly has no rapport with Joe College. If Dave O’Brien can’t be on board full-time find another top-notch announcer. After all, this has to be one of the top baseball announcer jobs in the country. Shouldn’t have trouble attracting high level candidates.
Ugggh! Dave O’Brien sucks…Its weird, he and Jeremy Kapstein soud eerily alike. Geffner adds a youthful voice to counter Castig’s squeakiness. Dump “Golden Pipes” O’Brien.
OMG tha Red Sox r going to listen to this and fire Geffener. Maybe we should start a pettition to get rid of Drew, Lugo, and Gagne. Or Tito FranCOMA for leaving in pitchers or soomething. We r so smart the Sox will listen. Go SOX!!!11!! Gotta go, mom needs me in the kichen.
Golly gee, this guy is bad. Shucks, if you wanted to I am free now that the Bruins let me go I would be willing to fill in. I have a face for radio any how…he he, ha ha. Plus I am smarter then anyone who would be listening so it would be an educational experience for the dolts who listen in.
wishing you a day filled with puppy dogs & ice cream.
Quit your complaining! It could be worse. Like Suzyn Waldman worse! I could hear it now. “Pedro Martinez is back! Pedro is sitting in John Henry’s Lap!”
as a resident of ny, a former resident of boston, and new
england i find much of baseball comentary filled with agendea
having nothing to due with the sport.. many comentators are
not doing their job? i don’t want franchise talk, i want honest
commentary?
please resign you stinkers..
thanks!
Keep the signatures coming people
This guy is absolutely the worst announcer from ANY sport.
You NEVER feel like you are at the game when he is announcing.
No emotion at all, and all he wants to do is read stat sheets.
Why isn’t the same kind of passion used for getting rid of Orsillo and Remy? They’re truly awful. They don’t do their homework … they know next-to-nothing about the Red Sox opponents. More over, they don’t know how Pawtucket is doing in the I.L. One night, Remy asked Orsillo, “Did Pawtucket make the playoffs?” Orsillo’s response: “I don’t know.” How can two announcers for the Red Sox fail to have a clue what’s happening at the AAA level? How hard would it be for them to keep up? I watch Sox games courtesy of my cable company’s “Extra Innings” package, and last week, when the Red Sox were playing Baltimore, the feed for the game was the O’s feed, and those two announcers (Gary Thorn and Jim Palmer) were outstanding. Palmer had obviously spent time with the Red Sox that day, talking to the players and coaches, gathering information he could use that night to inform his broadcast. Orsillo and Remy *never* do that sort of leg work. They’re like two guys at a local bar who can’t shut up during the game, sharing the silliest conversations whether they apply to the game or not. It’s disgraceful, and what’s even more disgraceful is Red Sox fans who defend them.
Sorry Tom, but I Completely disagreee with you. I watch the Sox on Extra Innings too and I think they are the best announcers out there period. Better than the Mets here on SNY, better than those O’s announcers (who are pretty good) better than anyone.
They are extremely entertaining and Orsillo does a great job of calling the games. Remy is also great and they work extremely well together! I can’t stand watching any Sox games on the road because pretty much every other broadcast has been awful. I am thrilled when the Sox r on NESN, mainly because of the great broadcasting team.
I don’t think its their business to know or care what the AAA team is doing. Most of their players are up anyways so who cares? It’s a Red Sox broadcast not a Pawsox one. You want your pawsox there’s plenty of ways to get it like here.
As I said, the bottomline is Remy and Orsillo are the best tag team of announcers out there PERIOD. Sure, I’m a little bias, being a sox fan and all but I don’t think anyone compares. They do an outstanding job!
If Orsillo is so bad, why is he broadcasting on TBS for the postseason.
Oh for the dulcet tones of days gone by. When Curt Gowdy’s sonorous timbre would waft through the crystal like a summer zephyr.
Wait Ian, He’s doing TBS??? Thats awesome…I hope he gets to do the Mets in the NLCS? Who else is announcing for TBS?
because orsillo and remy are at least entertaining. with the way the club is playing lately, i need a laugh or two.
this all is pretty ghey if you ask me.
wow,what a bunch of douchebags. dave obrien is such a kiss ass espn clone who sucks the life out of any excitement. at least geffner is excitable and brings something unique to the game. obrien is soooo boring and repetitive ,banal and almost doddering. yomu probably likejoe and jon on sunday night. wake up and get off the rs nation juice and go upsatirs for dinner. mommys getting mad.
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I haven’t heard other than him.
Bring back Trupiano!!!
Have you ever heard a man make a 4 run rally sound dull? He does.
I am sure he is good man to play Trivial Pursuit with. But to call the games for the Saux? No way.
He would make any sport boring listening to him.
The role of the radio guy is to give us what’s going on, explaining it in greater detail. He is the eyes if we aren’t watching it on TV.
He can’t even do that. It’s so enjoyable to listen to OB and Joe C. because they seem to work well like peas and carrots.
3×5 and Joe C. is brutal and nothing against Joe C at all. It’s all 3×5’s doing.
Okay here’s my one comment.
The guy from the US Court house and the others posing as Boston media ….it’s kinda funny good show.
Those of you who actually think that we think we’re gonna get the Sox to fire Geffner because we started a petition…..you’re higher than Jeff Spicoli.
To those of you who knock this why do you even waste your time to respond? And for the record Ian lives on the first floor and I am on the second floor so we’re far from our mom’s basements. In fact my mom doesnt have a basement. So in the words of our friend Fitzy GFY.
I can’t believe I actually have to explain this but what this is intended to do is to show our collective displeasure. The fans should and do have a voice. The ownership may not agree with us and it’s fairly apparent that they don’t but they can take the time to listen to us. If one legit media outlet grabs this and makes something of it our job has been done. Right now the closest we have come is the Boston Dirt Dogs who are owned by the Globe, who own 17% of the Sox. and BDD we thank you.
We aren’t the only ones pounding on Geffner but I’d like to think we’re one of the most logical and rational about it along with a few others. I have nearly a quarter century of broadcasting experience I know of what I speak.
So for those of you who don’t get it and want to ridicule…..go find your baseball.
Gefner is terrible, and I’ve been saying it from day one. I feel like I’m listening to a kid from an AV class at Durfee Highschool anouncing the homecoming football game on channel 3. Come on Henry you can’t possibly think he is acceptable. He overwhelms you with nonsense knowledge that seems forced. I like to listen to the games at the beach, and he stresses me out. It is also obvious Joe can’t stand him either. While Troup’s depth perception was failing him (the waaaay backs caught by alex gonsales and orlando cabrera) he at least was enjoyable to listen to. Never speaking out of turn and interjecting when need be. Summer was not the same this year. I guess in the future I’ll just have to listen to my Troup bottle opener. Can the Gef.
Chemistry, palpable excitement, and the tendency to explain what’s going on on the field (when not busting balls, of course) is the perfect recipe for Red Sox announcers.
The irrepressible ‘everyman’ ballbuster aspect of Remy and Orsillo makes NESN games so very enjoyable to watch.
Remy is always explaining nuances of the game from the player’s standpoint; many of his observations I just don’t hear from the national broadcasters. They, by contrast, tend to rely on the tired, canned fact sheets.
Now when Rem and Don weave New England and everyday life stories and tangential humor into the mix (as no others can!) it makes me feel connected to these guys like they are ‘one of ours’…
they epitomize the New England ball buster persona… they have personality and I often show fans of other teams some of their YouTube gems (like the one when Dennis Leary visited them, or when a fan tossed a pizza slice).
These guys are all about ‘authentic local flavor’ the way Johnny Most used to call the Celtics games and Harry Carey called the Cubs games. They give the broadcasts a sense of place.
These guys are iconic!
They make me proud to be from New England, and to be a Red Sox fan.
These guys are the broadcast version of the anti-Yankees (– have you ever heard that Yankee broadcasters pablum?…it’s like listening to a drunken classical music announcer at best…”the-uh-uh-uh Yankees lose!”)
Rem and Don…Best in baseball!
I just wanna say Hi to the members of the Red Sox administration who are taking a peek at my work here. Anytime you folks wanna chat or maybe exchange some email about this I’d love the opportunity. Just contact Ian who will put you in touch with me. You can get him at the top of the page.
~ Steve
The thing is a franchise with the stature of the Red Sox should have nothing but the best announcers – Don and Jerry are great – one of the best teams in the game. Joe Castig is also one of the best – OB is an adequate sidekick, but Geffner is just plain boring being so monotone, and he is kind of a corporate shill (like all of the YES network guys). Troup was kind of a clown and bordered on getting into the Jon Sterling rhelm with his “way back” calls. I always tease my Yankee friend fans about how awful their announcers are accross the board (radio and tv), and how a team with stature should have more dignified (but still entertaining) guys. Rem and Don are perfect examples of this. Joe Castig needs someone like OB full time, and if OB cant do it full time because of his ESPN obligations, then we need someone else. Too much water under the bridge, but Sean MacDonough woud be a perfect guy – and then he would be a great guy to keep the tradition going if/when Joe C retires.
Sam here are the TBS announcers for the playoffs:
Cal Ripken (pregame)
Tony Gwynn
Joe Simpson
Don Orsillo
Steve Stone
Bob Brenley
Ted Robinson
Chip Caray
Dick Stockton
The only announcer pairing that has been announced is Caray and Gwynn. No one yet knows which series they will be doing. It is assumed that Orsillo will not do the Sox he was talking about doing a national league series earler this week.
also from 38cliches.com through Scott Shots:
Well, ain’t that a kick in the the shorts, Glennski?
Dave Scott of Scott’s Shots reliably reports that
a source familiar with the specifics of Dave O’Brien’s contract has confirmed that “Obie” will be in the Sox radio booth for at least 135 games next season. The source also verified that stalwart Joe Castiglione will be returning and that Geffner’s role will be either greatly reduced or non-existent.
Tra-la, tra-la
Scott notes:
This, once again, is a sign that the front office actually does listen to its fan-base. Geffner was a gaff, but it was also reward for some dedicated service. If the Sox can launch Geffner into another market for further polishing, it would be a win-win for all involved. He’s not without tools, he just needs to get more reps.
(If you say so)
I have a market suggestion. Mars. so I never have to hear him squeak again.
Wow. You people are harsh. GG is as good as it gets. Have you ever listened to any of the other radio broadcasts from around the league? Go out and get XM radio, and listen to the MLB package. Glenn is 10 times better than 80% of the people out there. And i’m not talking about small market teams, you would be surprised.
So please, before all of you get your panties in a ruffle, become educated. Listen around. I know your opinion will change. A very misinformed nation is bad.
And about Trupiano. His time was done here in Boston. I remember many past years, the outcry to have him removed was astounding. Don’t become a bunch of hypocrites…..
Thank you for your time, and go Sox!
What I really miss is the interaction between Sean McDonough and Remy. Orsillo has been ok, but Sean is right when he complains about Don being somewhat of a clone.
Way back! Way back!! How I miss Troup.
sure you have an oopinion and so do others. YOU started some petition to get rid of someone i like. obrien is cookie cutter espn drone. geffner is real. you don’t want opposing views,then get off the soapbox and layoff the douch petition. 286 people agree.now you can really enjoy your brownies and milk.
the real problme w/red so radio is the UNENDING bullshit advertising,missing pitches,missing hits/outs,Joe C endless string of commercials,sold out so what, blathering guests during innings,.
it’s too much. we should all come together and protest the lack of respect they have for the games and the fans and make them cut back. oh yeah and make the game volume and the commercial volume the same. jesus.
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I am in total agreement with Tom’s comments re: Remy and Orsillo who act like two immature high school students. I yearn for old-time announcers for the olde towne team.
Orsillo tells me exactly what I’m seeing with some numbers thrown in, while Remy remains totally engrossed in self promotion. And Remy continually gives the benefit of a close call to the opposing team..,too often to be coincidence. He can never be accused of being a homer..,he is in fact just the opposite and could this be because he is/was hoping for network opportunities ? I am also so tired of hearing about Remy, Remy, Remy…,he is a huge distraction from the game and team itself. It has become all about Remy and the Sox should put an end to it.
The man’s a hack and has no business being on the airwaves.
I’m sorry but I find Glenn Geffners announcing style boring and monotonous!IMO there is absolutely no flow to the game when he is on. He stays in a monotone voice rattling off statistics without any sense of when to bring emotion to the forefront.The first time I heard him this season I thought that I had dialed in a college or minor league game and kept trying to tune in the game.I have to switch the game off when he is on since I get nothing out of what he is or isn’t trying to relay to the listener. You REALLY ought to weigh your options and go with someone who brings considerably more to the table personality wise. Jerry Trupiano may have been overboard on occasion, but at least he got my attention and kept me listening.
I’m surprised at some of the Orsillo comments here and in the petition. Just for the mere fact that I’ve heard withmy own two ears Sean McDonough say that his friend Orsillo sounds exactly like him. At times I’ve thought I was listening to Sean and not Don.
I can understand thought some people not liking the silliness in the booth between Remy and him. Personally I dont mind it most times because its them being themselves and Id rather have that then the pomposity of Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Joe Morgan, et al. I could however do with less schilling of the whole president of red sox nation thing. As well a few other things that go on in the booth with the pushing of the remy report. we know it’s there, if we want to visit we will visit. sometimes I think Jerry would bag his dogs dump and sell it if he could.
I saw a comment about the Tina Cervasio reports. Tina and the guys in the booth have no say on when those reports are done. Unfortunately unlike football there arent really many times outs in which to present a sideline report so may times it ends up going over the play which pisses me off too. The NESN production crew needs to ge theirshit together on that for next season and either restrict them to running during mound visits or cut a commercial (GASP!!) and go back to the game 30 seconds earlier to get the report in before the action starts. As for Tina herself I think she does a good job for what they give her. Lets face it being a sideline reporter isnt the same as being Leslie Stahl on 60 Minutes. also remember that NESN is Red Sox owned and therefore she is given access that others arent but she also isnt going to ask the hard hittng question that say someone from the Herald might ask.
I’ve also seen some Tom Caron comments. I’m not a Tom Caron guy I just always feels like he is yelling at me like the guys at ESPN. and let’s face it Bob Rodgers is out of his league in the Boston TV market. He’s probably a great guy but isn’t theguy you want to listen to twice a night for 162 games a year. I really don’t now who would make a good studio host. I’d prefer someone in the mold of CBS’s James Brown. He’s informative, calm and a good director of studio traffic between the analysts. I think Kathryn Tappen could make a good studio host if given the chance,I think she’s a good interviewer, not great but good, she knows sports being a former athlete and she’s well spoken. Plus she’s hot as hell and I’d watch more often. The thing against her is I’d be willing to bet that NESN execs would wonder if people would take their Sox news from a woman. Sad I know.
Let me touch on the studio guys NESN uses too. Ken Macha good points, too new to know how to makethem sometimes. Jim Rice should be in the hall of fame but his lack of diction kills me. Dave McCarthy needs to look more comfortable and barring that they should pay Dennis Eckersley whatever he wants to do more studio stuff.