The Eck

The entry following this one is so disturbing that I had a hard time writing it on such a beautiful June day.

So disturbing that I had to try to follow it with light heartedness. In the hope that if you read this first it will soften the blow. In fact maybe you should not even read the next blurb today.

Do as your conscience allows.

Anyway the first enjoyable thought that pooped into my head is Dennis Eckersley.

This man is an enormous breath of fresh air. He is the antithesis of the stereotypical ex-athlete/announcer.

I have written about him in here before. But he continues to amaze and amuse me this year when he fills in for Jerry Remy.

He is a man who does not care what people think of him. He speaks truthfully and in a way that defies the usual faux macho athlete bullshit. He has no filter. He says what he is thinking and does it in an entertaining way. He almost sounds naïve.

But he is not. He has lived a life. He is a recovering alcoholic, a legendary pitcher, a Hall of Famer, and exactly the kind of image MLB should be promoting.

His language is unique and colorful. He actually has to interpret his expressions because they are really out there.

Cheese, a pitch with hair on it, Johnson and on and on and on.

He also appears to have no ego. Truthfully, Jerry Remy almost has an adversarial relationship with Don Orsillo. He is always busting his balls and putting Don on the defensive. Which is easy to do because Orsillo has a naturally self-deprecating personality. He is aware of his peculiarities and just rolls with them.

Eckersley finds a way to incorporate his knowledge, language and sense of humor seamlessly with Don's broadcasting approach.

Orsillo actually seems happy to me when he is working with the Eck. Not so with Remy.

That says a lot about Eckersely's character, sensitivity and intelligence. That a man of his stature can sit as a relative rookie in the broadcast booth and make it all roll smoothly.

And make us laugh. The man just makes you laugh in an easy, enjoyable, don't have to think about it way.

He adds so much more to a baseball broadcast. He can make a boring game fun. And he takes an exciting game and blows it right over the top with his enthusiasm and appreciation.

Check him out when you get a chance.

Let him lighten your load, even if it is only for three hours.

Three hours of happiness is nothing to sneeze at, baby.