“YOU HAVE TO COME BACK AND TELL THE STORIES”: REMDAWG’S WIFE’S WORDS SILENCE FENWAY
BOSTON, MA—For the first time, in an emotional moment that will forever be etched into the memory of Red Sox Nation, legendary broadcaster Jerry Remy revealed a private letter his wife, Phoebe, wrote him during one of his most challenging battles with lung cancer—a letter he credited with literally saving his life and bringing him back to the Fenway broadcast booth.
The revelation came during an on-field tribute to the late “RemDawg” and was delivered by a close family friend, leaving Fenway silent with emotion as the profound depth of his wife’s support was finally shared.
THE LETTER WRITTEN IN THE DARKEST HOUR
The letter was reportedly written during the period when Remy was battling cancer for the fifth time, wrestling with severe depression and fatigue, and had taken an indefinite leave of absence from NESN. At the time, Remy publicly acknowledged that he “didn’t want to get out of bed” and was struggling to find the will to continue the grueling cycle of surgery and chemotherapy.
The excerpt shared on the Fenway scoreboard, which was met with tears from family members and fans alike, contained a heartbreaking yet fierce vow from Phoebe:
“You taught a generation how to love this game. You have to come back and tell the stories. Not just for us, but for all the kids who need to hear ‘What’s happening?’ one more time.”
THE POWER OF “WHAT’S HAPPENING?”
The inclusion of his famous catchphrase, “What’s happening?,” served as the emotional core of the message. It was Phoebe’s clear reminder of his purpose and the millions of fans who relied on his voice for comfort and connection.
- The Turning Point: According to the family friend, Remy kept that letter taped near his bedside during his recovery at Massachusetts General Hospital. It was the simple, human expectation of returning to the booth and being the voice of the fans that convinced him to endure the next round of treatment.
- The Human Connection: The story provided an intensely personal glimpse into the strength of the relationship between Jerry and Phoebe, who stood by him through years of physical and emotional struggle, including seven recurrences of cancer.
The raw confession silenced the crowd before they erupted in applause—not just for the man who brought them decades of baseball joy, but for the woman whose quiet, unyielding love literally wrote the script for his return.
