Jerry Remy, Red Sox Legend, Dies At 68 After Battle With Cancer

BOSTON (CBS) – Boston Red Sox legend and fan favorite broadcaster Jerry Remy died Saturday following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Remy, a former second baseman who had called Red Sox games on NESN for decades, was 68 years old.

A Red Sox Hall of Famer, Remy started his career with three seasons on the California Angels. He then went on to play seven seasons in Boston.

"We are saddened by the loss of a beloved player, broadcaster, and 13-year cancer warrior," Red Sox principal owner John Henry said in a statement. "Jerry's love and connection to baseball didn't allow anything to stand between the game and him, including for many years cancer. He devoted his entire career to baseball and whether from his seat in the clubhouse or his perch above the field in the broadcast booth, he took generations of rising Red Sox stars and a multitude of fans along for the ride with him. During his lifetime, he witnessed great triumphs and terrible tragedies handling all of it with grace, dignity, and a huge heart. He left an indelible mark on this club and on an entire nation of Red Sox fans."

Guides at Fenway Park dedicated tours on Sunday in Remy's memory.

Remy is a four-time cancer survivor and, in the past, has been very public about his health and his battles with depression. Doctors have attributed most of his health issues to smoking cigarettes, and Remy used his platform to urge people to stop smoking.

"On behalf of the entire Red Sox family, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry's wife Phoebe, their three children, and the entire extended Remy family," said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said. "Jerry's effortless style made him the finest baseball broadcaster of the past few decades. When you listened to him, it was as if you were having a beer with your best friend, and his insight, humor, and charm lifted your spirits. I often texted him between innings to get his perspective on the game, and we enjoyed a relationship I will forever treasure. He was a valued colleague and friend, and we will miss his presence in our clubhouse and our broadcast booth."

Remy, who took a leave of absence in August to receive cancer treatment, was at Fenway Park for the Wild Card Game between the New York Yankees and Red Sox during as emotional ceremony as he threw out the first pitch.

"When he threw out the first ball at the wild card game to me, I texted him after that saying it was a privilege to be able to do that with him and he said 'I'm glad it was you," said former Red Sox pitcher Dennis Eckersley. "I got to know him as a teammate, playing with him in Boston and fast forward 40 years later whatever it was, to getting a chance to be with him in the booth, I got that much closer to him."

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