Today was the last day for Don Orsillo filling in for the departed (not dead) Tina Cervasio on the NESN pre-game show. He went out with a bang, calling Amalie Benjamin “Amalie Brown” leading into the perfect for segway for Heidi Watney. She will make her official NESN debut as the Boston Red Sox on-field reporter tomorrow but here is a sneak peak of her from today’s game. IE users click here to watch.
Our First Look at Heidi Watney
May 4th, 2008 by Ian · 12 Comments ·
Category: Boston Red Sox · MLB · NESN · Videos
She seems decent enough. I’m sure she’ll go over real well with the guys too!
I’m just glad that Tina’s gone. She annoyed the crap out of me!
It will be really interesting to see how she fits in with everyone. Tina had built a rapport with everyone including Terry Francona, especially since she was the one doing the Terry’s Take after the games, which instead this year so far has been NESN producer Russ Kenn getting whomever he could to talk after the game.
I’m sure the players have already checked her out since she’s been around a few days, presumably getting to know the team and the players themselves. Obviously, she will be most active during the pregame show segments with the Boston Globe crew of Amalie Benjamin, Nick Cafardo and Gordon Edes.
It’s when they go to her during the games, that will probably be the hardest part for her at the beginning because that was when Tina usually had a good back story about something.
I do think NESN dropped the ball by not hiring someone from the beginning of the season. In reality, she might not get a fair shake at the beginning.
She definitely is pretty (see–this is what you guys have while we girls get to watch Jacoby).
Watch out Kathryn and Hazel….Heidi makes you two look even more like a nun and an ex-pole dancer. With any luck she will work her way up into the studio where hopefully she can read the teleprompter. Question is will TC be able to keep his eyes above her cleavage?
Heidi Watney seemed nervous talking during that interview. She talked too much because she was afraid of those “awkward silences.”
Heidi has been in the works for a long time … not sure why they waited in hiring her
I think it was in March and I was coming home from Logan and stopped in Newton Corner for a bite to eat at Buff’s Pub and Heidi was at the table next to us.
These 4 guys were at another table and they were splitting up their Red Sox season ticket … she chatted them up and told them how she had an interview the next day to work for the Sox
She seemed to be a true sports fan and I knew that combined with her great looks would make her an easy hire… not sure why they waited.
Give Heidi chance. She started after the season began and whom ever it would be, they would be critized.
She just happens to be beautiful, get over it and enjoy the game.
Heidi comes from a talented blood line, looks like she has worked hard to get where she is.
Good luck Heidi Watney
This was from Heidi’s first night. She’s gotten better since then. She’s made a few mistakes but she’s definitely a lot more comfortable behind the camera now then when she was when she first started.
Sorry gang but Heidi just rubs me the wrong way. There’s something so superficial about her…so plastic. Unlike Hazel Mae who you felt you could reach out and touch (would were that be true !). I think we’ll be seeing another yungen as part of NESN baseball team next year. Tina, whereever you are, PLEASE COME BACK
I’ll be honest. I paid a lot more attention to her when she started then I do know. Usually if she talks during the game I don’t even realize it because I tune her out. During the pregame show, I usually only pay attention to her when she’s with Amalie.
I tend to tune her out too. she really only intro’s the pre-produced pieces and her interview skills are EXTREMELY weak. She doesn’t seem to know much about sports, the team and/or city yet and she’s been here two months.
I’ll tell you that in the broadcast business you rarely see someone move from being a weekend sports reporter in Fresno to being the sideline reporter in a major TV market like Boston on a regional cable network.
The reasons for her being here are strictly looks and money. She looks good and they didn’t have to pay her the money that they had pay Tina Cervasio, a much more polished air talent, who came here already with large market (NYC) experience.
NESN and the Red Sox/Bruins are cheaping out on the talent and you will see it when it comes to replacing Hazel Mae who leaves on the 30th and there is absolutely no word on a replacement yet. I will guarantee though that NESN is trying to lowball anyone who is interested in the gig. They already lowballed Tina, expedititing her exit and then Hazel.
she’s an idiot