Jerry Remy Takes Indefinite Leave From Red Sox Broadcast Booth

NESN broadcaster and former Red Sox and Angels second baseman Jerry Remy -- known affectionately in households across New England as the Rem-Dawg -- is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the announcing booth as he continues to recover from the effects of lung cancer surgery.

Stars Whove Fought Cancer

Red Sox color commentator and former Major League player Remy is taking a leave of absence from the broadcast booth while he battles cancer. Click through to see other sports figures have fought cancer.

Michael Dwyer, AP

Golf legend Seve Ballesteros was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in the right side of his brain in 2008. He underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and had four surgeries.

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UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun underwent 33 radiation sessions last year to battle skin cancer. In 2003, Calhoun was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery to have it removed. Calhoun will be coaching in his third Final Four this coming Saturday.

Ned Dishman, Getty Images

Lance Armstrong survived his bout with testicular cancer and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles. Armstrong is now making a comeback to chase his eighth crown.

Peter Dejong, AP

Former Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill announced in January 2008 that she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Less than two months after his surgery for thyroid cancer, Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis made a triumphant return to the mound on May 23, 2008, giving up only one run in seven innings.

John Bazemore, AP

Hall of Fame basketball coach Chuck Daly is being treated for pancreatic cancer. Daly, who coached the Pistons to NBA championships in 1989 and 1990, also led America's 'Dream Team' to gold at the 1992 Olympics.

Mark Duncan, AP

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is undergoing treatment for melanoma.

Drew Hallowell, Getty Images

Three-time NHL coach of the year Pat Burns said in January that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer. It is the third time he has had cancer.

Richard Wolowicz, Getty Images

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester underwent treatment for a form lymphoma in late 2006, which is now in remission. Lester went on to win the clinching game of the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox and hurled a no-hitter against the Royals in 2008.

Charles Krupa, AP

Remy missed a handful of spring training games this March as he recuperated from the procedure and has been absent from the broadcast booth since April 30 after being diagnosed with pneumonia, but the specifics of his illness were undisclosed until Wednesday.

"I hope that disclosing my bout with cancer will reinforce the dangers of smoking to every member of Red Sox Nation, especially children," said Remy, who joined the network in 1988 and has teamed with play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo since 2001.

Remy is just as much, if not more, of a Red Sox icon as any current player, and his in-game fits of laughter with play-by-play man Don Orsillo have become familiar to fans across the region. Given his raspy cough and baritone voice during those fits, it can't come as much of a surprise that he is a former smoker to people that didn't already know.

Booth hysterics aside, Remy is also one of the better team-specific color guys in baseball, and a bit of a rock star in Red Sox Nation, with his own hot dog stand -- the aptly named RemDawgs -- outside Fenway Park, and scores of fan-made signs to be found at every Red Sox game, home or away, with messages directed toward him.

Dennis Eckersley and Dave Roberts are expected to fill in for Remy in the NESN booth for the time being.

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