Jerry Remy, R.I.P.

Former MLB player, longtime Boston Red Sox TV color commentator, author and restauranteur Jerry Remy passed away last night after more than a decade long struggle with lung cancer. He was 68.

Back in June, Remy abruptly left the broadcast booth during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, following shortness of breath requiring hospitalization. Remy would resume his duties later that month, but his cancer would return in August forcing him to the sidelines once more. He would make his final public appearance at Fenway Park earlier this month when he threw out the first pitch to longtime teammate and broadcast colleague Dennis Eckersley prior to the AL Wild Card game against the New York Yankees.

A native of Somerset, Massachusetts, Remy was drafted by the California Angels in 1971 and would make his big league debut with the club in 1975 becoming their everyday second baseman. Following the 1977 season, the Angels traded Remy to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Don Aase. In 1978, Remy would be named to his lone AL All-Star team. Remy had little power (he only hit 7 HR in his 10 year MLB career) but had excellent speed stealing 30 or more bases in each of his first four MLB seasons until knee injuries curtailed his baserunning ability. But he remained a good contact hitter and an above average defender at second base. Remy finished his playing career with the Bosox in 1984. In 10 big league seasons, Remy appeared in 1154 games collecting 1226 hits for a lifetime batting average of .275 with 7 HR, 329 RBI and 208 career stolen bases.

In 1988, Remy would join the Red Sox broadcast booth and would remain a fixture there for more than three decades despite his illness. Remy combined his knowledge of the game with an endearing sense of humor which would later earn him the title of President of Red Sox Nation. Remy also authored 8 books including five about Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster who Remy helped get over with Red Sox Nation after initial resistance to having a mascot. Affectionately known as Rem Dawg, Remy owned several restaurants in the Boston area bearing that name.

Unfortunately, the past decade or so had been a struggle with Remy not only for his fight with cancer but his family's legal troubles especially his son Jared who murdered his girlfriend and is serving a life sentence. Through it all Remy maintained his dignity and sense of humor even while losing a tooth during a Red Sox broadcast. R.I.P.