BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 27: Don Orsillo, during his last game as the play-by-play announcer for Boston Red Sox games on the New England Sports Network, waves to the crowd after a video tribute during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on September 27, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Don Orsillo

With spring training set to open later this month, Don Orsillo will soon begin calling play-by-play on TV and radio for his new team, the San Diego Padres. But until that happens, the shock over being let go by NESN after calling Boston Red Sox games for 15 years still lingers.

In an interview with MLB.com’s Corey Brock, Orsillo explains that he didn’t see his dismissal coming, figuring that having his contract renewed was practically a formality after so many years (and five previous contract renewals) with NESN. He and Red Sox fans had every reason to expect that the relationship would continue for years to come.

What was even worse about Orsillo losing his job was that word of the decision had leaked out in late August. He still had a month in the NESN booth to go. If there was a bright side to that development, it’s that fans had the opportunity to express their appreciation and sympathy toward Orsillo. Consolation even came from some unexpected sources.

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi asked to meet with Orsillo when the Red Sox visited Yankee Stadium in the final week of the 2015 season. Girardi went through a somewhat similar experience as Orsillo during his playing career. Much like Orsillo, Girardi dreamed of working for the team he grew up rooting for and had that opportunity when he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs.

But after eight years with the organization (four with the major league club), Girardi was left unprotected for the 1992 MLB expansion draft and selected by the Colorado Rockies. As with Orsillo, it was a crushing experience to feel unwanted by the team he loved and forced to start up again elsewhere.

“He called it the most devastating thing in his life,” Orsillo told Brock. “But then he said, ‘What I didn’t realize was how good the second half of my life was going to be.'” Girardi assured Orsillo that the same thing was possible for him.

Obviously, it was a message Orsillo needed to hear and the memory sticks with him months later. Nearly everyone can sympathize the unpleasant experience of being fired. But Girardi related to the circumstances of Orsillo’s dismissal and wanted to pass along some encouragement. Such a kind gesture demonstrates how loved and respected Orsillo is throughout baseball.

[MLB.com]

About Ian Casselberry

Ian is a writer, editor, and podcaster. You can find his work at Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He's written for Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation.

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