On Tuesday, news began to trickle out early in the day that NESN would be replacing long-time Boston Red Sox play by play announcer Don Orsillo with radio voice (and ESPN broadcaster) Dave O’Brien. Red Sox fans responded to NESN in a calm, reasonable manner.
Or not. Red Sox Nation was understandably furious, not just about Orsillo’s ouster but also the matter in which he was replaced (a press release in the middle of a game he was calling).
As always, these are real tweets from real people… and they aren’t happy.
Which is absolutely mind blowing. @DonOrsillo is one of the best in the business, in multiple sports. A true pro. https://t.co/fmg1mia0Ss
— Kathryn Tappen (@KathrynTappen) August 25, 2015
So the dude who fired Orsillo made his Twitter account private today after word got out. What a coward.
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) August 25, 2015
@GlobeChadFinn I hope the outrage reaches those "executives" that think they know everything. They need to know that this is a travesty.
— Jeremy Lewis (@utahutes24) August 25, 2015
The Red Sox have made a lot of moves the last two years that haven't worked out. But none have been as senseless as letting go of Orsillo.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) August 25, 2015
https://twitter.com/CraigPushard/status/636326409489772544
https://twitter.com/toeingtherubber/status/636329768821084160
@NESN pic.twitter.com/xFoF8gsZcW
— wandi (@randi8s) August 26, 2015
.@NESN nothing against Dave, he's great but letting go of Don is just pure stupidity. He has only made games more enjoyable. You asshats.
— Girly Pop Dom 🍭 (@_nostraDOMus_) August 26, 2015
@NESN Nothing personal towards Mr. O'Brien but the decision makers at NESN are dumb, low-life weasels. No good reason not to renew Orsillo.
— Garden State Goofball (@JurisprudenceNJ) August 25, 2015
@NESN #BoycottNESN Getting rid of @DonOrsillo was by far the dumbest move NESN has made. Quit following NESN on Facebook also
— E (@BostonSprtsNut) August 26, 2015
@NESN – AWFUL DECISION!!
but at least now #DonOrsillo won't have to watch the #RedSox play baseball anymore, so there's that.
— craig pilo (@craigpilo) August 26, 2015
@NESN you suck.. Awful move your powers that be are stupid, you're losing a lot of fans over this, what hell are you thinking??
— Deb Wyllie (@debwyllie54) August 26, 2015
@NESN bad decision to get rid of don. Not a fan of the move just another ill be canceling nesn ASAP #DonOrsillo #nesn
— Zullo (@Marzullo9) August 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/boondagger/status/636336579825504256
https://twitter.com/StudioCityCat/status/636336385620770816
@NESN personal over personnel. Orsillo amongst top 2-3 guys in game. Knowledgeable, engaging, funny. Completely tone deaf or stubborn.
— Jeff Goldklang (@JeffGoldklang) August 26, 2015
@NESN Nothing against Dave, but whoever made this decision is a complete ass. I've watched baseball over 40 yrs and he is the best IMO
— E (@BostonSprtsNut) August 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/JusBrockway/status/636390157252493312
@NESN finger on the pulse of your fan base with this one. #DonOrsillo
— Jason (@jaylandry86) August 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/imscottjames/status/636388868682420224
@NESN how about an article about how many bad decisions NESN has made? The latest would be right at the top of the list.
— Ryan Foley (@Foley885) August 26, 2015
@awfulannouncing Don is so good. He makes the broadcast funny. Which is necessary the last few seasons.
— Brian Edwards (@briano29) August 26, 2015
It looks like NESN really midjudged the fan backlash here.
