The Boston Red Sox told employees to confiscate signs from fans supporting announcer Don Orsillo prior to Monday’s game against the New York Yankees.
News emerged last week that NESN would not be bringing back Orsillo as the TV play-by-play announcer next season and instead would promote Dave O’Brien from the radio team to TV. The news was met with contempt from Red Sox fans who have grown accustomed to hearing Orsillo call their games over the past 15 years.
The news was published last week while the Red Sox were on the road, so the best opportunity fans had to protest came on Monday. The Boston Globe reports that the Sox were prepared for a protest and instructed employees to confiscate pro-Orsillo signs. NESN also moved its pregame show location.
Via The Boston Globe:
To prevent a potentially embarrassing scene, NESN moved its pregame show from Yawkey Way to a more secure spot near the Red Sox dugout. Two Sox employees told the Globe that workers at Fenway turnstiles were ordered to confiscate any signs supporting Orsillo as fans entered Fenway.
The Globe later deleted the line about the confiscation due to “weak sourcing,” but it’s clear the fans have spoken.
The Globe deleted the line about the Red Sox confiscating Don Orsillo signs, but screenshots are a thing. pic.twitter.com/IRiBbrxheb
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) September 1, 2015
In addition to creating signs, a fan group distributed “Save Don” cards to fans.
Handing out a bunch of these before today's game. Let me know if you're going and want one! #SaveDon #SaveOrsillo pic.twitter.com/LPTZm4aL6T
— Sox Lunch (@Soxlunch) August 31, 2015
An online petition protesting the firing of Orsillo also has received over 50,000 signatures.
Fans at Fenway Park are supporting Don Orsillo, @Dan_Shaughnessy reports http://t.co/SYO122CMqO pic.twitter.com/Zz61sWUuZU
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) August 31, 2015
Fans at Fenway show their support for Don Orsillo. Here’s @Dan_Shaughnessy’s report http://t.co/kgcx1iy1jD pic.twitter.com/2oqDZcxpSU
— Matt Pepin (@mattpep15) August 31, 2015
From @Dan_Shaughnessy at Fenway Park: Fans are expressing their support for Don Orsillo tonight. pic.twitter.com/VuVTVGbZYd
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) August 31, 2015
Did NESN and the Red Sox really think they would be able to fire one of the most popular announcers in town and get away with it? The fans are doing what they can to make their voices heard.
