According to a recent report from Mass Live, the Boston Red Sox have nearly finalized their broadcast plans for the 2025 season.

According to Sean McAdam, former Red Sox infielder Lou Merloni will be the team’s primary television analyst on NESN, calling more than half the games. It’s unknown what role, if any, Kevin Youkilis will play, as his contract expired last year.

Furthermore, former infielder Will Middlebrooks will split time between television and radio on WEEI. Will Flemming will take over the primary radio broadcaster in the absence of Hall of Famer Joe Castiglione, who has retired.

These all seem like good decisions for the Red Sox and their broadcast partners. Merloni has become a fan favorite over the last few years, for several reasons.

First, he’s a local kid, having grown up in Framingham, Mass. and playing college ball at Providence. Second, he played for the Red Sox, spending parts of six major league seasons in Boston. He understands the fan base, the expectations and the history, and imparts that on each broadcast. As a former player, he’s able to articulate the nuances of the game in a relatable fashion for fans of all ages and experience levels.

Fourth, he’s also a refined broadcaster, having done several years of Boston sports talk radio. In combination with his playing experience and personal relationships, he’s not afraid to give an opinion, making him even more appreciated by fans.

Merloni was a lifetime .271 hitter with 14 homers and 125 RBI.

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