Kevin Youkilis to be NESN's primary color analyst on Red Sox broadcasts in 2023

soxhop411

news aggravator
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2009
46,276
View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1612545141075738625
Sources: Kevin Youkilis is expected to be NESN's primary color analyst on Red Sox broadcasts in 2023. Will again be something of a rotating cast with Will Middlebrooks, Kevin Millar and possibly Tim Wakefield and others circling through.
View: https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/1612548549119451146

Youkilis is expected to do about half the schedule. Middlebrooks, Millar and possibly Wakefield will each do less than that. The sense I get is the color team isn't finalized. Could be some other former players mixed in.
 
Last edited:

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
21,762
Pittsburgh, PA
Feels like Yooooook is just the headliner on what will be a revolving cast of auditionees. Which is fine. Vive la différence.

If our standards remain at "mid-career Jerry Remy" we're going to be disappointed. I'd settle for another Eck - occasionally annoying, but errs on the side of making it fun rather than being too bland.
 

Cumberland Blues

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2001
5,193
Mazz had me clicking on the opponent's feed on MLBTV pretty regularly last season, glad that hassle has been taken care of.
 

jmcc5400

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 29, 2000
5,203
Feels like Yooooook is just the headliner on what will be a revolving cast of auditionees. Which is fine. Vive la différence.

If our standards remain at "mid-career Jerry Remy" we're going to be disappointed. I'd settle for another Eck - occasionally annoying, but errs on the side of making it fun rather than being too bland.
At the moment my standard is “not Tony Mazz”. This is great news - and I think Youk will improve as he goes along.
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
6,248
from the wilds of western ma
About as good as they could do. He's not a terrible listen, and I can see some ceiling for improvement. Just don't get in the way of the game too much. Will help a lot if the on-field product is interesting all year.
 

Max Power

thai good. you like shirt?
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2005
7,878
Boston, MA
Youkilis was my favorite non-Eck color guy last year. I wasn't a NESN subscriber in the late 80s, but I'd guess his first season was no worse than Remy's. If he wants to stick with it (and accepting an 80 game gig would indicate he does), he could be really good.
 

Leskanic's Thread

lost underscore
Silver Supporter
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
2,774
Los Angeles
No Maz is the big win here.

I liked Youk the best out of the carousel of replacement auditions they had last season. I thought he vastly improved over the course of the season and was the only one to show real potential to become a strong color commentator down the line. Hopefully he continues to grow and doesn't realize he already has millions of dollars so he doesn't have to do this.
 

8slim

has trust issues
SoSH Member
Nov 6, 2001
24,829
Unreal America
As mentioned in the media thread... Last year my teenage son caught a rocket foul ball down the left field line, and Youk exclaimed "sign 'em!". Then he gushed about the catch during the replay. So he's my guy and should be the color analyst for life.
 

LeoCarrillo

Do his bits at your peril
SoSH Member
Oct 13, 2008
10,394
What's the over/under on how many times a game he disapprovingly says, "That was a ball."
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,442
No Mazz anymore is awesome!

But I like the other 3 guys especially Middlebrooks more than Youk and wish one of those was the one calling most of them.

Best moves NESN made:

1) Hiring Orsillo
2) Hiring Eck
3) Hiring Jenny/Heidi/Guerin/Hazel Mae
4) No more Mazz (inverse of 1 and 3)
 

LoweTek

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 30, 2005
2,183
Central Florida
It took Remy quite a few years to get it figured out. I think given Youk's generally positive reception, we can show him a similar courtesy. He has strong potential.
 

YTF

Member
SoSH Member
It took Remy quite a few years to get it figured out. I think given Youk's generally positive reception, we can show him a similar courtesy. He has strong potential.
I thought he was great in spring training, especially when you consider his lack of experience. Then as he eased into the regular season rotation he seemed to try a bit too hard. I don't know if he was just being Youk or trying to create an on air persona, but something seemed to have changed as he did more games. He appeared to me to be a bit too schticky at times, but seemed to ease up on that later in the season. Perhaps someone got into his ear about it, but I have to say that I really enjoyed his perspective on hitting and his discussions of the game.
 

Merkle's Boner

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2011
3,756
Liked Youk but felt he relied a lot on some very funny anecdotes from his playing days. There can only be so many of those and I hope he does not regurgitate the same ones each year. I thought Middlebrooks was the best and glad to see he’s still in the mix.
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
6,248
from the wilds of western ma
I thought he was great in spring training, especially when you consider his lack of experience. Then as he eased into the regular season rotation he seemed to try a bit too hard. I don't know if he was just being Youk or trying to create an on air persona, but something seemed to have changed as he did more games. He appeared to me to be a bit too schticky at times, but seemed to ease up on that later in the season. Perhaps someone got into his ear about it, but I have to say that I really enjoyed his perspective on hitting and his discussions of the game.
If they didn't, it's great advice for someone to give him. I too enjoyed his thoughts on the game itself, and that's what he should lead with. He doesn't strike as a colorful, wacky guy. He shouldn't try and be one. At times I felt Remy tried to fit into a character that really wasn't there, with the Rem-Dog. He was at his best, IMO, when he was giving good, insightful analysis. Youk should follow suite. There's only one Eck.
 

Koufax

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
5,936
Eck is in my hall of fame. There's no point in trying to emulate him - Youk can only fail at that.
 

BringBackMo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,316
Youk is great. Love the choice. So…win!

Millar is unlistenable, as in must either turn down the volume or turn off the game. So…massive loss!

Mazz is run-of-the-mill bad. So…win!

We got blown out once here but still took two out of three in a must-win series. I can live with it.
 

YTF

Member
SoSH Member
If they didn't, it's great advice for someone to give him. I too enjoyed his thoughts on the game itself, and that's what he should lead with. He doesn't strike as a colorful, wacky guy. He shouldn't try and be one. At times I felt Remy tried to fit into a character that really wasn't there, with the Rem-Dog. He was at his best, IMO, when he was giving good, insightful analysis. Youk should follow suite. There's only one Eck.
Concerning Remy...I've no real way of knowing, but I always felt that at some point Jerry came to the realization that it was enough to have the nickname of "Remdawg" without the persona. I also think he became a more focused commentator as things in his personal life became more difficult. Speculation of course, but his job had to have been a pleasant distraction/escape at times for him. A place where he could immerse himself and if that's the case, it truly showed as IMO Jerry truly got better with each passing year.
 

HangingW/ScottCooper

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 10, 2006
2,493
Scituate, MA
I wonder what happened to Ellis Burks? I enjoyed his analysis.
Burks was too cliche'd for me. Millar was fine in small doses, especially as a 3rd man in. I was pre-disposed to hate Mazz and he was more tolerably than expected. That being said, I'm not sad to see him go. Middlebrooks was good in the limited action he saw, not enough to make a fair assessment.

Youk was definitely the best. I would also welcome Merloni.
 

BornToRun

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 4, 2011
17,321
I thoroughly enjoyed Youk in the booth and how openly he rooted for the Sox. I don’t want my team’s announcer to be Hawk Harrelson but it’s nice to know you’re on the same side. No more Mazz is just the icing on top.

Of course, I listen to most games on the radio and thus will have to keep dealing with Will Fleming…
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
6,248
from the wilds of western ma
Concerning Remy...I've no real way of knowing, but I always felt that at some point Jerry came to the realization that it was enough to have the nickname of "Remdawg" without the persona. I also think he became a more focused commentator as things in his personal life became more difficult. Speculation of course, but his job had to have been a pleasant distraction/escape at times for him. A place where he could immerse himself and if that's the case, it truly showed as IMO Jerry truly got better with each passing year.
I agree with this, and though this isn't a popular opinion around here, I think he was better with DOB(who, in a vacuum, I don't love either), because he no longer had Orsillo over-doing the yuk it up with the wacky Rem-Dog schtick.
 

Rovin Romine

Johnny Rico
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
23,688
Miami (oh, Miami!)
I wonder what happened to Ellis Burks? I enjoyed his analysis.
Reggie is our Ellis Burks channeler:

I have Ellis' comment on the possiility of him being full time color guy: Look it would be great if I did a good job and the fans liked. On the other hand if I did not do a good job, that would hurt the team.Anyway this one time after I signed with Colorado first bp I took I hit the first five out. Another time I took BP in I think i Chicago and hit like maybe six out.
(also - the sublime)
My Ellis text impression
Ellis ordering a coffee
If it has one suger, no cream, pretty good chance I will drink it

Ellis checking if his car is ready at the mechanics
To me if you just changed the oil and fixed that belt, then, well a lot of good things can happen, one time when I first got to Colorado I had my oil changed BAM home run.

Ellis hanging up on telemarketer
You are trying to sneak one by me, look,I am keeping it simple, when you get the big leagues you don't want this kind of call, but you are doing an outstanding job
 

Eddie Bressoud

New Member
Aug 3, 2014
57
Glad with Youk choice and with Mazz non-choice.
I was surprised with Will Middlebrooks last year. Thought he was pretty polished and had good comments.
 

GB5

New Member
Aug 26, 2013
675
In a perfect world we get more Sean McDonough. Not sure how, but to me he is the gold standard.
 

Yo La Tengo

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 21, 2005
913
I'm going to hope that the progress you're attributing to Youk happened during the games that I listened to on the radio. Because I heard the same story about his brew pub at least three times over a couple of weeks and it completely turned me off to him filling this role. It was endless blather. To the point that I preferred Massarotti who at least sometimes stopped talking.

Sincerely hoping y'all have heard something that I missed.
 

BoSoxLady

Rules Red Sox Nation with an Iron Fist
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 24, 2003
3,448
100% agree. Just pay the man.
Sean McDonough is the best. I listen to every game that Sean does on radio. Millar never shuts up. It’s as if he forgets there’s a game going on. I’m looking forward to more
of Middlebrooks.
 

MuzzyField

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
I agree with this, and though this isn't a popular opinion around here, I think he was better with DOB(who, in a vacuum, I don't love either), because he no longer had Orsillo over-doing the yuk it up with the wacky Rem-Dog schtick.
First, I definitely don't love or like DOB. Thankfully, I'm not a ACC fan and can avoid his college gig.

In my view, Orsillo largely differed to Remy in the pre Remy cancer era and and played the role.

In Remy 's cancer absence Don had to work with a revolving door of replacements and he flipped a switch and took the lead and made them all as comfortable as they were capable of being and the broadcast benefited form his ability to accommodate them, make them comfortable and help them share their expertise. Something DOB fails at an exceptional level when partnering with a new voices in the booth.

When Remy returned I felt Don played more of an equal role in the on-air banter department and also was an important mentor to Eck in his development as a game analyst.

Don was tossed from the booth and DOB inherited two of the best analysts in the RSN baseball TV world and I often still opted for the visitor feed or would sync the radio feed with Sean in the booth.

This is also combined with NESN's not be overlooked decade+ of technical suck in comparison to other RSN's.

Thanks DOB!
 

pantsparty

Member
SoSH Member
May 2, 2011
554
I liked Youk, particularly as the season went along and he better understood the role. He really understands hitting and provides excellent insight in that area of the game. I don't remember watching a game Middlebrooks called, but look forward to getting an opportunity to do so. The one game I watched that Wakefield called last year I thought he was kinda boring but it didn't really bother me because he's such an awesome guy. Millar's schtick gets old really fast and I can't take 9 innings of it. No Mazz is an improvement. I'll give him that he always had the players and opponents researched, but he just brought nothing in terms of analysis.
 

HangingW/ScottCooper

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 10, 2006
2,493
Scituate, MA
Sean McDonough is the best. I listen to every game that Sean does on radio. Millar never shuts up. It’s as if he forgets there’s a game going on. I’m looking forward to more
of Middlebrooks.
Middlebrooks had me at the end of the season when he was in a three man booth with Eck and O'B. They were talking about Ortiz and his cologne when the following exchange took place:

Eck: I don't know the last time I wore cologne
Middlebrooks (no hesitation): Yesterday when Papi gave you a hug
 

Petagine in a Bottle

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2021
11,921
It didn’t help that it seemed like the team played terribly when Mazz was in the booth. He seemed to be there for every truly horrible game, reminding us how awful the game was going.
 

reggiecleveland

sublime
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Mar 5, 2004
27,957
Saskatoon Canada
Reggie is our Ellis Burks channeler:



(also - the sublime)
Wow that is a deep dive into the past.

Coincidentally Ellis commented on the possibility of him returning to the booth.

Look I have not heard anything about it. If I got the chance I will give you 100% and that could be pretty good or not. If some other guy gets a chance, he has to make the most of it, and that could be really good, that is if he good, but if he isn't good, then well all bets are off. The thing is sure there were some cheap homers in Colorado, but once I just hammered one in Fenway and a guy caught it in the triangle.
 

scottyno

late Bloomer
SoSH Member
Dec 7, 2008
11,304
I don't remember disliking any of the players they had in the booth, not counting Steve Lyons as a player, and it seemed unlikely that any of the mentioned guys would want to do a full season, so this is probably as good a result as possible at this point
 

mikeandrews

New Member
Jul 19, 2005
7
DOB is probably a real nice guy. However, I think he's very hard to listen to. Talks too much. (too often takes whatever was just said by color guy and says the same thing a tad differently). Some of his often used words ("sailing" and "kissed") should stay on the bench. He never seems to have gotten over "baseball player awe".

Don Orsillo continues to be great at his job. That doen't help either.

Yes ... pay Sean! (not sure if he'd do the gig but at least find out)
 

cournoyer

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 11, 2012
515
Enfield, Connecticut
I think finding the right mix of not boring but insightful analysis and a sense of humor is the perfect color guy. That's why Remy was great for a long time. For me, Ellis Burks and Wakefield were pretty boring but it's not like you need Johnny Gomes in there every night either. I liked Middlebrooks, he seemed pretty down to earth and more relaxed than I imagined him to be. I agree with most here that Youk is the best option that we saw last year and no Mazz is a huge win. I was stunned when they brought him in and although I expected worse, that is not who I want to be listening to every night. Too much ego for me.