Don’t live in Boston? I’ll catch you up to speed. No one likes Dennis Eckersley’s color commentary on NESN. He’s filling in while Jerry Remy recovers, and it’s pretty much a train wreck. He’s not particularly knowledgeable, his meandering anecdotes go nowhere, and he’ll out-and-out ignore the action.
But we all stop to look at train wrecks, don’t we? He’s the creator of the soon-to-be catchphrase, “he’s a little gay with his cheese.” You really never know what Eck is going to say, and last night he really topped himself twice. Once with a flat-out swear, and once with a not-so-subtle Freudian slip.
Videos after the jump.
Eckersley, as former player, can be useful for giving us a look into the mindset of players. Apparently that extends to reading lips and conveying it to the audience, as he does when Kevin Youkilis gets hit by a pitch.
My two favorite things: the barely-audible “oops” Eck lets out as soon as he realizes he just cursed on the air, and the incredibly awkward silence that follows.
But an even better moment happens three innings later, when Eck intends to say that Justin Masterson is playing with the hitters. It doesn’t quite come out that way.
Why again don’t New Englanders like this guy? Obviously I hope Remy gets better quickly, but he didn’t cuss on air nearly enough.
4:08 pm on May 23rd, 2009
We'll just forget about that.
4:15 pm on May 23rd, 2009
Actually most Sox fans love Eck doing commentary. Who's said otherwise?
7:34 pm on May 23rd, 2009
Red Sox Nation needs a recall vote.
9:21 pm on May 23rd, 2009
At this rate, Eck is going to be kicked off the air soon enough, so I'm gonna enjoy all the games he broadcasts. He only does the home games on NESN while Jerry Remy recovers from cancer surgery.
10:58 am on May 24th, 2009
Hey "My Bro Barry", the reason N.E.'rs like him is because he isn't left-coast P.C.
N.E. likes straight shooters irregardless of their political affiliation.
N.E. is the cradle of Democracy for this great Republic.
They are the foundation of this country.
You better give them substance and not just subjugation.
And on the flip-side o' things, get well Jerry Remy and Godspeed.
I through in the Godspeed just for you Barry and for Brooks also because I know you're a couple of anti-Jesus freaks. You Bill Maher wannabees.
11:04 am on May 24th, 2009
Hey Barry, anytime you and your friend Brooks want to discuss all or anything political, I'm willing to throw down.
As far as sports go, there is no hope I will kick your butts.
The only catch is that I have a sidekick also.
2:52 pm on May 24th, 2009
I watch all the games and everyone I know can not stand listening to Eck do the games. He rambles on to much, and keeps repeating himself. We miss Remy