Search “Don Orsillo” on YouTube, and 14 suggestions pop up, including funny moments alongside the name of the 25-year MLB play-by-play veteran. Noteworthy entries include a title referencing his late friend and batterymate Jerry Remy from their 15 years in Boston, and another reading “Don Orsillo Mark Grant,” highlighting memorable calls from Orsillo and Grant’s nine-year partnership with the Padres.
Mark “Mud” Grant, a former pitcher turned commentator, is known for his catchphrases, including “Some Kinda Nice,” which is the name of his website. For Orsillo, who spent most of his life and career in New England, working in San Diego was an ideal opportunity. “Honestly, where there are only 29 jobs, I was willing to go wherever anyone wanted me,” he told Awful Announcing. “But knowing who I’d be working with and that our philosophies aligned, we meshed immediately.”
Tomorrow I begin my 25th MLB Season and 10th as a @Padres
91-92 Pittsfield Mets A
93-95 Binghamton Mets AA
96-00 Pawtucket Red Sox AAA
01-15 Boston Red Sox MLB
16- San Diego Padres MLBNever forget where I started and so thankful for where I ended up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/LOddx5zJZN
— Don Orsillo (@DonOrsillo) March 26, 2025
Ben Fadden, a San Diego podcaster, captures Orsillo’s dynamic presence through annual scrapbooks on the Talking Friars channel, and last season’s montage featured 52 moments of humor. Reasons for the laughter range widely; in one memorable moment during spring training, Grant alerted the umpires that the network wasn’t finished with its commercial break and paused the game. Their entertaining booth-to-dugout chats often touched on everything from players’ pet preferences to humorous confessions, emphasizing their ability to analyze and share the game’s lighter moments.
Within the Church of Baseball, the duo’s humorous approach reflects their keen understanding of the game and their fan base. “I have fun and have always believed that local baseball broadcasters differ from national TV announcers,” Orsillo stated. His experience with both mediums has cultivated a sense of belonging with the local fanbase, allowing him to comfortably share his personality. “You are part of the fabric of the team and the fan base,” he explained. “Baseball is fun and we’re gonna have a good time. Join us!”
Entering this significant season, Orsillo accepted a contract extension with the Padres in February, as CEO Erik Greupner confirmed his desire to keep Orsillo for as long as he remains active. “I was here about 10 minutes when I realized this was where I wanted to spend the rest of my career,” Orsillo said, reflecting on the enthusiasm shared by the team leadership.
Orsillo’s journey includes notable highs and lows, much like the journeys of fans across all teams. Glenn Geffner, a former colleague and broadcaster, attested to Orsillo’s ability to resonate with fans at any moment, whether in times of triumph or struggle. Despite witnessing four challenging seasons with the Red Sox, Orsillo proudly called games that culminated in the team’s World Series runs.
With the Padres, he has observed a remarkable transformation, moving on from five consecutive losing seasons to playoff appearances three times since 2020. “I could never have imagined what this would become,” Orsillo remarked, appreciating the electric atmosphere of Petco Park as fans filled the stands.
Orsillo and Grant’s engaging broadcast style has also found a growing audience beyond San Diego, with their humor becoming a source of envy for fans in other markets. A Cubs fan on Reddit praised the duo as “a hilarious breath of fresh air!”—indicative of their appealing chemistry. However, their success also stirs frustration among NESN viewers, still yearning for Orsillo’s return after his controversial departure.
As he recalls his fruitful partnership with Jerry Remy, who was an icon at Fenway Park, Orsillo reflects on the rich synergy they developed. His first game called was a no-hitter, part of a legacy that includes countless playful moments, from analyzing ticketholder mishaps to tomfoolery involving on-field incidents. These experiences have created a rich narrative of Orsillo’s broadcasting career.
Geffner noted that Orsillo and Remy amplified each other’s strengths in Boston, and he believes that he and Grant have taken it to new heights in San Diego. Data from AA’s annual local MLB TV announcer survey reinforces Orsillo’s success; while in 2015, he was at NESN, the Padres ranked just above them. Since Orsillo’s arrival, the Padres climbed the ranks, consistently placing among the top broadcasters.
The duo’s knack for clever phrases, such as Grant’s “Shillelagh power” and Orsillo’s thematic references to players like “Crone Zone” for Jake Cronenworth and “Merrill Madness” for Jackson Merrill, resonate deeply with fans. Notably, Orsillo’s “Slam Diego,” coined in August 2020 during a historic home run streak, symbolized a period of success for a franchise long striving for its first championship.
Orsillo’s transition to San Diego presented its challenges, but the community’s embrace has exceeded his expectations. “I am so grateful to be in San Diego during arguably the best period in the team’s history,” he said, relishing his role in narrating the Padres’ journey.
