NESN broadcaster Jerry Remy returned to Fenway Park yesterday for the "first time since undergoing surgery for lung cancer in June," telling the "cheering crowd that he would return on Opening Day next season," according to Peter Abraham of the BOSTON GLOBE. Remy starts chemotherapy tomorrow to "further treat what is his fifth bout with cancer." Doctors have "told him that will take three months." The Red Sox "took the occasion of this being Remy’s 30th season with NESN to honor him on the field before the game against the Yankees" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/21). In Boston, Matt Kalman notes the ceremony for Remy began "less than 15 minutes before first pitch" of Yankees-Red Sox, so that "almost all of the 36,911 fans on hand could give Remy a standing ovation." The Red Sox presented him with a "Waterford crystal vase, a new watch, a pair of Fenway Park seats ... and a gigantic new television" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/21). MASSLIVE.com's Jen McCaffrey noted Remy, who was "emotional at times, was grateful" for the "support from fans and the team." Remy said, "I have got so much stuff on Twitter and it's overwhelming. Boxes and boxes of mail. I am surprised there still is mail, but I have boxes at home. It means to me I have done something right over the last 30 years" (MASSLIVE.com, 8/20). Red Sox manager John Farrell said Remy connects with the team's fan base so well because he is "very real and candid." Farrell: "He doesn't pretend to see something that is not there. He calls it like he sees it. ... I don't think he takes himself too seriously. He has fun with it." He added, "He knows how hard the game is to play. I don't think he has ever forgotten that. I think players really appreciate that" (MASSLIVE.com, 8/20).
