Oh man, that's terrible. I was just at the Friday game and was enjoying his gusto.

Sons of Sam Horn thread: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/72205-carl-beane-killed-in-sturbridge-crash/page__pid__4120234

Beane should never have written that book while he was driving.

They're talking about him on the broadcast right now. Someone has the unenviable task of finding a replacement in the next 20 hours. Even if it's just a temporary guy (Jim Martin of the Bruins?) that's gotta be uncomfortable.

Never heard him announce.

And (as was observed on the Sons of Sam Horn blog) Beane had a wild final Fenway game to do the PA work for on Sunday.

I don't know how Boston does things, but I'd imagine they have a backup guy. 81 games, including stretches of 10 or so in a row...there's just a greater chance of illness (or worse, as we've sadly learned).

Gene Honda does the White Sox and Blackhawks, as well as the NCAA basketball championship and other jobs. Both teams have backups for conflict dates. FWIW, I've been told by someone who would know that when the White Sox won the WS, they bought rings for all full-time employees -- but not Honda, even though he's been at that park since at least the early 90's. As a result, he no longer gives the Sox priority on conflict dates (and I believe he DOES have a 'Hawks championship ring).

Did they make a recording of Beane announcing Derek Jeter coming to bat?

I don't know how Boston does things, but I'd imagine they have a backup guy. 81 games, including stretches of 10 or so in a row...there's just a greater chance of illness (or worse, as we've sadly learned).

Pretty sure I read today that he hadn't missed a game since taking over in 2003. I will say he wasn't at spring training (at least when I was there) which was unusual so maybe that guy is the backup.

I will say he wasn't at spring training (at least when I was there) which was unusual so maybe that guy is the backup.

I would think that it is more likely the spring training guy is a full-time Florida State League PA guy.

Sad.

Reports are now circulating that Beane suffered a heart attack, which caused him to lose control of the car. He had a history of diabetes.

He visited the Hall of Fame a number of years ago for a program. I was struck by what a great voice he had and also by how genuinely thrilled he was to be the Red Sox' PA announcer. Seemed like a good guy.

I am glad this man's death has provided the community with an opportunity to dust off those hilarious inside jokes.

I am glad this man's death has provided the community with an opportunity to dust off those hilarious inside jokes.

It's the internet. You've got to learn to let stuff roll of your back sometimes.

It's the internet. You've got to learn to let stuff roll of your back sometimes.

Yeah. Life is about having a thick skin.

Bob Sheppard, who was in his 53rd year as public address announcer when Carl Beane was starting his first, got a parodic imitation, a "Never heard him..." and a complaint within the first ten posts of his BTF death thread. It's not a bug on this website, it's a feature.

It's the internet. You've got to learn to let stuff roll of your back sometimes.

Mattbert's comment was sufficiently dry enough and lacking in hysteria for me to pretty much agree.

Sounds like somebody needs a hug. From MIKE PIAZZA!

1. Are we still doing Piazza jokes?

2. Nothing good is happening to the 2012 Red Sox.

3. 81 straight dates for 8+ seasons is impressive.

4. When I heard he was in a car crash in Sturbridge, I was wondering if it was US 20, a stretch of road infamous for cars and trucks going too fast and getting themselves into trouble. (I grew up not tooto far from there.) Guess it wasn't.

It's the internet. You've got to learn to let stuff roll of your back sometimes.

I was considerably more annoyed by the the jokes being old and tedious than the fact that jokes were made at all. If you're going to play at being all edgy and "cross the line" by cracking wise about a tragedy, at least have the decency to be funny and not trot out some tired old Primer catchphrase for cheap yucks.

Mattbert's comment was sufficiently dry enough and lacking in hysteria for me to pretty much agree.

This was a terribly written reply. I meant that I agreed with Mattbert, not Larry.

I was considerably more annoyed by the the jokes being old and tedious than the fact that jokes were made at all.

What, I should give away my good stuff for free?

Sounds like somebody needs a hug. From MIKE PIAZZA!

It's a trap?

If you're going to play at being all edgy and "cross the line" by cracking wise about a tragedy, at least have the decency to be funny and not trot out some tired old Primer catchphrase for cheap yucks.

America's most beloved car wreck?

I was considerably more annoyed by the the jokes being old and tedious than the fact that jokes were made at all. If you're going to play at being all edgy and "cross the line" by cracking wise about a tragedy, at least have the decency to be funny and not trot out some tired old Primer catchphrase for cheap yucks.

Er, that was the whole point. Nobody was trying to be edgy or crossing any line, but rather to call forth the old Primer catchphrase.

And, please, spare me the whole "tragedy" thing. 7,000 people die every day in the U.S., and 150,000 around the world. Even if you limit it to younger people, it's something like 500 a day in the U.S. It's a tragedy for people who know him.

If you want to discuss a REAL tragedy, you should head over to the "Home Run Ball Hits Fan In Crotch" thread.

I met him once at a friend's wedding where he was the emcee around 5 years ago. He seemed like a really nice guy and, as you'd expect, was totally thrilled with his job. Very sad.