Posted by Matt Sisson on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 6:25 pm

NESN announced today that former player and current Red Sox announcer Jerry Remy will take an indefinite leave of absence to recover from cancer surgery. “I want to focus on completing my recovery so that I can return to work without distractions or interruptions,” said Remy, a former smoker who underwent surgery for lung cancer late last year.

From the NESN website:

Remy expected a more immediate return but suffered a setback due to an infection and subsequent case of pneumonia. He now hopes his experience serves as a cautionary tale about the adverse health effects of smoking.

Remy, a universal fan favorite to every Red Sox fan stated, “I hope that disclosing my bout with cancer will reinforce the dangers of smoking to every member of Red Sox Nation, especially children.” Remy, who joined the New England Sports Network in 1988 and has teamed with play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo since 2001 will be missed by those who’ve welcomed the pair into their home each night during the last 21 years.

Regarding his replacement for the time being:

Red Sox studio analyst and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley will join Don Orsillo in the booth during the remainder of the team’s current home stand that ends May 8. Studio analyst Dave Roberts, the former Red Sox outfielder and postseason hero, will provide color commentary during the team’s subsequent West Coast road trip that ends May 17. No decision has been made yet about who will join Orsillo in the booth beyond that date.

Get well soon Remdog.