Beloved Boston Red Sox color commentator Jerry Remy will step away from broadcasting as he undergoes treatment for lung cancer, according to Tom Westerholm from Boston.com. Remy, 68, has been battling cancer, in and out of remission, since 2008, when a low-severity cancerous area appeared in his lungs. He made the announcement via a statement from NESN (New England Sports Network):

“I’d like to share that I’ll be stepping away from the NESN broadcast for the time being to undergo lung cancer treatment,” Remy wrote in his announcement. “As I’ve done before and will continue to do, I will battle this with everything I have.

“I am so grateful for the support from NESN, the Red Sox and all of you. I hope that I’ll be rejoining you in your living rooms soon. Lastly, I’d like to thank my medical team for all they’ve done for me throughout the treatment process.”

For being an All-Star second baseman, and for calls on walkoffs at Fenway and moments like these, Remy is someone who Boston fans hold dear to the hearts.
Remy also had to take time off in 2013, when he had a bout with pneumonia and his son was arrested for murder, and in 2017, when his lung cancer returned. Earlier this season, he also had to leave the broadcast booth in the middle of a game as he felt shortness of breath.

“It’s not easy, you know?” Remy said in an ESPN report back in 2017. “Look, I’ve been through a lot, for a long period of time. But you know, life goes on. Life goes on. I’ve got baseball here to keep me occupied. It keeps my mind occupied.”

For the sake of the city of Boston, the Red Sox organization, and for baseball as a whole, we all wish Jerry a speedy recovery.