NESN UPDATE - NESN’s Jack Edwards announces retirement

[Kate08]

I didn't hear it, so I can't say your context is right or wrong. But second hand, it seems bizarre. At the end of the day, Patrice is a hockey player. Sure he seems a great guy, a humble man, a good father, and all, but he's a hockey player. Nobody is nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

I heard it and it really capped off a very uncomfortable interview/discussion. It would be one thing if they had a strong relationship outside of the broadcaster/player relationship and were very involved in each others' lives.

Like, if Smalls said Benny the Jet Rodriguez made him a better man after his The Jet Stole Home call at the end of the Sandlot, that's kind of sweet.

 

[FRyan4426]

At this point it has to be NESN simply unwilling to buyout Jack and pay a new guy. Not surprising coming from FSG. Linda needs a new purse.

But it’s time to make a change. Don’t fire Jack, how about have him host/voiceover stuff regarding Bruins/NHL history that is shown on NESN? That way he keeps some passion and doesn’t have to worry about the speed of PBP.

Faust is ok but between O’Brien with the Sox and the BRUTAL new Celtics guy we already have 2 robots to listen to. Hockey is one sport you can’t have a robot, you need passion that isn’t over the top. Losing Goucher was such a mistake.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I didn't hear it, so I can't say your context is right or wrong. But second hand, it seems bizarre. At the end of the day, Patrice is a hockey player. Sure he seems a great guy, a humble man, a good father, and all, but he's a hockey player. Nobody is nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

I heard it and it really capped off a very uncomfortable interview/discussion. It would be one thing if they had a strong relationship outside of the broadcaster/player relationship and were very involved in each others' lives.

Like, if Smalls said Benny the Jet Rodriguez made him a better man after his The Jet Stole Home call at the end of the Sandlot, that's kind of sweet.

Doesn't matter what Patrice's job is. A good person is a good person and can be someone to aspire to and take as an example to follow regardless of what they do. It's not what he does, it's who he is.

As for the nature of the relationship, I simply don't see it that way. Bergy has been a public figure for 2 decades. We've seen hours and hours of footage of this guy, both on and off the ice, seem him speak hundreds of times, seen how he conducts himself in all sorts of ways. In a very real sense, all us Bruins fans 'know' him on some level. And Jack takes the next step in actually having met him multiple times. In that context Jack saying what he did is fine to me. Heck I'll say it - the example set by Patrice makes me a better man.

It's a YMMV thing, some are going to appreciate a comment like that, some aren't. I simply don't think it was prima facie weird or inappropriate. Beyond that yeah the interview was awkward, because even asking basic questions is difficult for Edwards with his diminished capacity, which also accentuates his natural eccentricity or uniqueness or whatever you want to call it alongside his speech issues. He really should call it a day. But this particular comment didn't bother me at all.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

I heard it and it really capped off a very uncomfortable interview/discussion. It would be one thing if they had a strong relationship outside of the broadcaster/player relationship and were very involved in each others' lives.

Like, if Smalls said Benny the Jet Rodriguez made him a better man after his The Jet Stole Home call at the end of the Sandlot, that's kind of sweet.

Damn, that's the best obscure reference I've seen in a while.

Top 10 movie of my childhood.

 

[PB37]

I didn't have a problem with Jack telling Bergy how much he looks up to him. I'm sure Bergy gets it all the time from peers and fans.

 

[Kate08]

I didn't have a problem with Jack telling Bergy how much he looks up to him. I'm sure Bergy gets it all the time from peers and fans.

Looks up to and make one a better person are very different, IMO.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

It is YMMV. Very much. I guess it depends on how much significance you put on the statement. Personally, my father made me a better man. Significant historical figures - MLK, Oskar Schindler, Abraham Lincoln, made me a better man. Now I love Patrice more than any other sports figure of the last 20 years, except for maybe Big Papi. But he's not my father, and he's not those towering historical figures, and I reserve that type of statement for that type of significance.

But as I said, YMMV.

Well exactly. Our understanding and use of language varies. I don't put as much weight on this particular phrase as you do. And again, in this regard I'm not really interested in what people did/do, although that does hold value, for me it's more about character.

Does someone I only know of at a distance like Bergy have the capacity to influence my conduct as much as a father or spouse or close friend etc.? Of course not. But it doesn't mean they can't have any impact at all, such that Jack's statement becomes invalid or silly. Of all the things he's said that have been weird or cringe or unnecessary, to me this wasn't one of them.

 

[PB37]

Looks up to and make one a better person are very different, IMO.

To me, they're essentially the same thing. Plenty things about Jack right now are off but this was ok in my book.

 

[Gee Wally]

I’m beginning to think some of you have lost your minds.

Knock off the personal attacks.

Get back on subject or leave the subject.

It’s gettin ridiculous here with the middle school sniping.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I usually watch no volume but I’m at my condo wtf nesn not taking Jack off the air this is ridiculous.

Such a scummy pathetic company and operation every regional sports network puts out a better product than them.

Announce the new guy and ceremony and give him a few last games to be celebrated how is nesn this low rent?

 

[jgatie]

I usually watch no volume but I’m at my condo wtf nesn not taking Jack off the air this is ridiculous.

Such a scummy pathetic company and operation every regional sports network puts out a better product than them.

Announce the new guy and ceremony and give him a few last games to be celebrated how is nesn this low rent?

He's actually better that usual tonight, though the nights not over and he seems to struggle more as the game goes on.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

how can people listen to him?
i find myself wanting the bruins to suck in these games just to hear him go off the edge.

 

[Mad-Marcus]

There are just too many word to word transitions that he has trouble articulating. I don't care if he says he's fine. He's either in denial, or holding on to his job, for dear life. I'm sure he's a wonderful person, not the point.
Add in the stupid folksy BS, like Yanni Gourde not GORED. My wife laughs every time I yell at the TV for him to Shut the F Up!
I'll take the boring fill in 10 times out of 10. Jack is toast and unlistenable.
Is he a B's icon, to a lesser degree. I look at it like when Rancour retired, he knew it was time. I like Angilly and he was the perfect replacement. It's time for the play by play to go the same way.

 

[Sheppy]

I usually watch no volume but I’m at my condo wtf nesn not taking Jack off the air this is ridiculous.

Such a scummy pathetic company and operation every regional sports network puts out a better product than them.

Announce the new guy and ceremony and give him a few last games to be celebrated how is nesn this low rent?

Yeah, it's at that point for me too. I usually have tunes going when I'm watching. I just don't get how NESN doesn't see the issue here, either they're abosolute idiots or they're just actively ignoring it.

I though Faust was fine from the one game I watched that he was calling.

 

[Johnny Upton]

Yeah, it's at that point for me too. I usually have tunes going when I'm watching. I just don't get how NESN doesn't see the issue here, either they're abosolute idiots or they're just actively ignoring it.

I though Faust was fine from the one game I watched that he was calling.

Friday Four-Pack 2.16.24

New Patriots docuseries is live, but is it good? Barstool goes big for DraftKings. Media notes!

www.mutstack.com

Mike Mutnansky said today that he contacted NESN with questions about it and didn’t hear back. So it sounds like they’re ignoring it.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Yeah, it's at that point for me too. I usually have tunes going when I'm watching. I just don't get how NESN doesn't see the issue here, either they're abosolute idiots or they're just actively ignoring it.

I though Faust was fine from the one game I watched that he was calling.

Jacks earned a nice ceremony too. Insane they haven’t announced one to take some heat off him.

Weird network but the product is brutal doesn’t help that Brickley is well a brick and states the obvious and gets his color from Jack.

 

[TD Charlie]

I heard it and it really capped off a very uncomfortable interview/discussion. It would be one thing if they had a strong relationship outside of the broadcaster/player relationship and were very involved in each others' lives.

Like, if Smalls said Benny the Jet Rodriguez made him a better man after his The Jet Stole Home call at the end of the Sandlot, that's kind of sweet.

They don't see em I don't believe it. The pitch...

Jacks earned a nice ceremony too. Insane they haven’t announced one to take some heat off him.

Weird network but the product is brutal doesn’t help that Brickley is well a brick and states the obvious and gets his color from Jack.

Brick came out of his shell big time when Faust was up there with him. I think he takes a backseat to Jack lately, because he doesn't want to interrupt if Jack is still finishing a thought. Just a respect thing, I think.

 

[Shaun]

says he’s fine medically and he doesn’t know why it’s happening either

NESN’s Jack Edwards opens up about his speech issues: ‘I’m slowing down all the time’ - The Boston Globe

His delivery on Bruins telecasts has become noticeably slowed, even slurred. He said he has been medically cleared and is puzzled himself, but is working with speech therapists.

www.bostonglobe.com

now no one should feel bad about him being replaced since he can’t do the job

 

[LSCII]

says he’s fine medically and he doesn’t know why it’s happening either

NESN’s Jack Edwards opens up about his speech issues: ‘I’m slowing down all the time’ - The Boston Globe

His delivery on Bruins telecasts has become noticeably slowed, even slurred. He said he has been medically cleared and is puzzled himself, but is working with speech therapists.

www.bostonglobe.com

now no one should feel bad about him being replaced since he can’t do the job

So much this…

 

[FrankerC]

says he’s fine medically and he doesn’t know why it’s happening either

NESN’s Jack Edwards opens up about his speech issues: ‘I’m slowing down all the time’ - The Boston Globe

His delivery on Bruins telecasts has become noticeably slowed, even slurred. He said he has been medically cleared and is puzzled himself, but is working with speech therapists.

www.bostonglobe.com

now no one should feel bad about him being replaced since he can’t do the job

Very interesting. Though, sometimes it is hard to find the medical reasoning for something happening. But if its not medical, I really wonder what has happened. Hearing a Bruins game from 2015 > now, Jack even has a different tone in his voice.

 

[mikelvl]

It's nice that he has publicly acknowledged the issue. He is obviously working very hard to beat it but.....

 

[crimsonace]

I didn't have a problem with Jack telling Bergy how much he looks up to him. I'm sure Bergy gets it all the time from peers and fans.

Remember, Jack and Patrice spent 20+ years traveling and working together. You get to know players when you're seeing them regularly. There is a *lot* of interaction during media availabilities in dressing rooms after the morning skate, et al. You watch the families grow up, et al. It's not like one is in the broadcast booth and one is on the ice and they never interact. So there's a personal mutual respect in addition to the professional relationship.

 

[crimsonace]

It should be noted that Plymouth Rock removed Edwards from their commercials and replaced him with Hampus Lindholm. Possibly unrelated, but still.

Imagine you're a young hockey PBP guy who has worked his way up to try and get one of the precious few NHL gigs. You can't get one, yet NESN insists on keeping a guy who speaks the way Jack does now and can't stay with the play beyond just saying players' names.

There are a ton of talented people who can do this job. Jack Edwards is no longer one of them.

I'm not young and I can't speak for all of my colleagues, but I've been doing PXP for years at various levels (including minor pro hockey). Maybe this is the benefit of age and having spent years "paying my dues." There are very few NHL gigs out there and, yes, that is the goal for every single one of us, especially for an Original Six team. My "break" came about because of a similar situation, and I was both simultaneously grateful for the opportunity but had a pit in my stomach about taking over for someone I *really* looked up to (and someone who remains a friend).

I take no offense to someone who has been an institution with a team still holding the job, even if he's dealing with speech issues. Would I love to have an opportunity to jump to the show? Absolutely, but I'm not losing sleep at night because it hasn't happened yet. Do I believe I could hack it in the NHL or the higher levels? Definitely, but again, I don't lose sleep over the fact that I'm in the minors and others have gotten breaks or are holding what for me would be a dream job. I hope I'm given similar consideration when Father Time catches up to me, which hopefully won't be for a long time.

What frustrates me and a lot of us more is the fact that some teams are beginning to skimp on broadcasting by combining their radio & TV into one simulcast (the Kings and Hurricanes have done so recently - which led to really talented radio broadcasters like Chuck Kaiton and Alex Faust losing their roles. The Stars have been doing it for years).

 

[dugg133]

Will always love Jack, glad he's healthy and seems to be in a good mindset. If he really is fully healthy though, and his issues have just been a result of age or something like that, then idk how much you can realistically expect him to improve.

Maybe it's time to go the Mike Gorman route, let Alex Faust take over for games on the road and have Jack stay home and only do games that are at the garden.

 

[Mad-Marcus]

As a big detractor of Jack's, much respect to him for owning it. It is none of our business, but he self aware enough that this impacts a "product". I hope he get's it back enough to go out on his own terms, with his head held high.