{{short description|American journalist}} {{distinguish|Tony Maserati}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Tony Massarotti | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|28}} | birth_place = Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = Tony Mazz, Naughty Massarotti<ref name=crowd>{{cite news |last1=Haggerty |first1=Jim |title=Massarotti lights up crowd prior to game |url=http://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_87f59874-15f5-11e1-b216-001cc4c03286.html |work=Daily Times Chronicle |date=November 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017211016/http://homenewshere.com/daily_times_chronicle/news/winchester/article_87f59874-15f5-11e1-b216-001cc4c03286.html |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |location=Winchester}}</ref> | alma_mater = Tufts University | occupation = Sportswriter {{*}} radio host {{*}} author {{*}} color commentator | employer = NESN, Beasley Media Group | spouse = | children = | website = }}

'''Anthony Ezio Massarotti''' (born October 28, 1967) is an American author and a former sportswriter for the ''Boston Herald'' and ''The Boston Globe''. He co-hosts a sports talk radio show, ''Felger & Mazz'', on 98.5 The Sports Hub with former ''Boston Herald'' columnist Michael Felger.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaikin |first1=Bill |title=No one listens to sports talk radio in L.A. Why the people in charge aren't worried |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-08-12/sports-talk-radio-los-angeles-ratings-boston |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815152724/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-08-12/sports-talk-radio-los-angeles-ratings-boston |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |issn= 0458-3035 | eissn=2165-1736 | oclc=3638237 |id={{ProQuest|2701008961}}}}</ref> Massarotti has also served as a color commentator for the Boston Red Sox, during their 2022 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cotillo |first1=Chris |title=Tony Massarotti reflects on first year in Boston Red Sox NESN booth: 'It was an experiment for everybody... It has gone pretty well' |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2022/08/tony-massarotti-reflects-on-first-year-in-boston-red-sox-nesn-booth-it-was-an-experiment-for-everybody-it-has-gone-pretty-well.html |work=MassLive |publisher=Advance Local Media |date=August 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017211638/https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2022/08/tony-massarotti-reflects-on-first-year-in-boston-red-sox-nesn-booth-it-was-an-experiment-for-everybody-it-has-gone-pretty-well.html |archive-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://985thesportshub.com/2022/03/15/nesn-officially-announces-tony-massarotti-as-new-color-commentator/ |title=NESN officially announces Tony Massarotti as new color commentator |date=March 15, 2022 |website=985thesportshub.com}}</ref>

Massarotti is a graduate of Waltham High School in Waltham, Massachusetts,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/columnists/massarotti/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910095834/http://www.boston.com/sports/columnists/massarotti/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 10, 2008 |title=Tony Massarotti Sports Blog|newspaper=The Boston Globe|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref> and a 1989 graduate of Tufts University, where he majored in English and Classics. He was also a member of Theta Chi fraternity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belmont.k12.ma.us/chenery/cheetahzine/05FALL.pdf |title=Interview With Tony Massarotti|date=December 1, 2005|publisher=CheetahZine|accessdate=2005-12-15}}</ref>

==''Boston Herald''== Massarotti joined the ''Boston Herald'' in 1989 and covered the Boston Red Sox for the paper from 1994 through 2008.

During his time with the ''Herald'', Massarotti frequently covered the Red Sox for Fox Sports New England, and he appeared occasionally as a guest on WHDH's ''Sports Xtra''. He also appeared on Boston's WEEI sports talk radio program ''The Big Show''. These appearances ended with his later leaving the ''Herald'' for the ''Globe'' due to a long-standing ban on ''Globe'' staffers appearing on the station.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/dont_quote_me/multi-page/documents/01230893.htm|title=Hush-hush, In its war of words with WEEI, the Globe learns that silence isn't necessarily golden|newspaper=Boston Phoenix|author=Dan Kennedy|accessdate=2008-10-07|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225195554/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/dont_quote_me/multi-page/documents/01230893.htm|archivedate=2007-12-25}}</ref>

While with the ''Herald'', Massarotti was known for his staunch support of former Red Sox managers Jimy Williams and Grady Little, despite Little's controversial decisions during Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/herald.php |title=''Boston Herald'' Sports Writers|publisher=Boston Sports Media Watch|accessdate=2005-12-15|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051128121245/http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/herald.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archivedate=2005-11-28}}</ref>

==''The Boston Globe''== In September 2008, Massarotti joined the staff of ''The Boston Globe''.<ref name=crowd/><ref name=Globe>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/08/15/massarotti_joins_globe_and_bostoncom/ |title=Massarotti to join Globe and Boston.com|date=August 15, 2008|website=Boston.com|access-date=2008-08-15}}</ref> In addition to writing a regular column for the paper, Massarotti became the voice and face of the ''Globe'''s online Boston.com sports feature.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2008/08/16/new_lineup_for_globes_baseball_team/ |title=New lineup for Globe's baseball team|author=Joe Sullivan|date=August 16, 2008|newspaper=The Boston Globe|access-date=2008-08-18}}</ref> In March 2013, he left the ''Globe''. However, after a brief hiatus, Massarotti returned to writing for the ''Globe'' online sports blog in early 2014.

==Notable columns==

===Theo Epstein contract negotiations=== On October 27, 2005, Massarotti published a column in which he accused Larry Lucchino and the Red Sox management of smearing general manager Theo Epstein during contract negotiations. In the column, he also suggested that coverage of the negotiations at two local media outlets was compromised. He documented that ''The New York Times'' (parent company of ''The Boston Globe'') owned a 17 percent ownership stake in the Red Sox and that local sports talk radio leader WEEI was currently in negotiations for Red Sox broadcast rights and paid Lucchino for a weekly radio appearance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/917681021.html?dids=917681021:917681021&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+27%2C+2005&author=Tony+Massarotti&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=086&desc=Smear+campaign+stinks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001063532/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/917681021.html?dids=917681021:917681021&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+27,+2005&author=Tony+Massarotti&pub=Boston+Herald&edition=&startpage=086&desc=Smear+campaign+stinks |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2007 |title=Smear campaign stinks|date=October 27, 2005|author=Tony Massarotti|newspaper=Boston Herald|accessdate=2007-04-27}}</ref> The timing of the column was notable as it came four days after ''Globe'' ombudsman Richard Chacón published an article in which he criticized ''Times'' management for accepting World Series rings from the Red Sox,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/10/23/the_globe_sox_connection/ |title=The Globe-Sox connection|date=October 23, 2005|author=Richard Chacón|newspaper=The Boston Globe|access-date=2007-04-27}}</ref> and three days prior to a Dan Shaughnessy column in which he revealed information detailing the nuances of the relationship between Epstein and Lucchino, to the favor of Lucchino.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/10/30/lets_iron_out_some_of_this_dirty_laundry// |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051101022928/http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/10/30/lets_iron_out_some_of_this_dirty_laundry/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2005 |title=Let's iron out some of this dirty laundry|date=October 30, 2005|author=Dan Shaughnessy|author-link=Dan Shaughnessy|newspaper=The Boston Globe|accessdate=2007-04-26}}</ref> The information in the column was widely thought to have originated from Lucchino and may have contributed to Epstein breaking off negotiations and resigning his position as General Manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dotnews.com/comment.11.03.05.html|title=Lucchino vs. Epstein: Media stew boils over|date=November 3, 2005|author=Thomas F. Mulvoy|publisher=Dorchester Reporter|accessdate=2007-04-27|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009212722/http://www.dotnews.com/comment.11.03.05.html|archivedate=2007-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_306125705.html |title=John Henry Takes Blame For Epstein Leaving Red Sox: Epstein Says Another Team Has Contacted Him|date=November 2, 2005|publisher=WBZ-TV.com|accessdate=2007-04-27|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928033100/http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_306125705.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate=2007-09-28}}</ref>

===Jon Lester cancer story=== In August 2006, Massarotti received some criticism for publishing a column detailing rumors that Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester was being tested for cancer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=155293|title=Lester tested for cancer – Sources say rookie has enlarged lymph nodes|date=August 31, 2006|newspaper=Boston Herald|accessdate=2007-12-14|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901185824/http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=155293|archivedate=2006-09-01}}</ref> In fact, the rumors turned out to be true, and Lester went on to be treated for a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/09/lesters_cancer.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522102544/http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/09/lesters_cancer.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |title=Lester's cancer|date=September 1, 2006|newspaper=The Boston Globe|accessdate=2007-12-14|first=Gordon|last=Edes}}</ref>

==''Felger and Mazz Show''== Since 2009, Massarotti has worked as the co-host of ''The Felger and Mazz Show'', an afternoon sports talk show broadcast on Boston's ''98.5 The Sports Hub''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Laughlin |first1=Frank |title=Tony Massarotti, longtime Sports Hub host, suspended without pay for 'insensitive' on-air comments |url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/tony-massarotti-longtime-sports-hub-host-suspended-without-pay-insensitive-on-air-comments/MIJ6LDK4WNCA7MZOLRA4JIAP2U/ |website=Boston25News|date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref> In February 2023, Massarotti was suspended by the Sports Hub for a racially insensitive joke he made about two black men in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Finn |first1=Chad |title=The Sports Hub's parent company suspends Tony Massarotti for the rest of the week |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2023/02/21/the-sports-hubs-parent-company-suspends-tony-massarotti-for-the-rest-of-the-week/ |website=Boston.com |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>

==Awards== * Massachusetts Winner of the 2000 and 2008 National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Sportswriter of the Year award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tufts.edu/communications/stories/041701NYTWinsPulitzers.htm|title=Alum Wins National Journalism Award|date=January 17, 2001|publisher=Tufts E-News|accessdate=2007-12-14|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050102095531/http://www.tufts.edu/communications/stories/041701NYTWinsPulitzers.htm|archivedate=2005-01-02}}</ref> * National Association of Broadcasters' Marconi Award. Along with co-host Mike Felger, Massarotti received the 2019 NAB Marconi Award for ''Major Market Personality of the Year''.

==Books== * ''A Tale of Two Cities: The 2004 Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry and the War for the Pennant'' {{ISBN|1-59228-704-2}}, co-author John Harper, sportswriter for the ''New York Daily News''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tufts.edu/communications/stories/050505AlumsAuthorSoxBooks.htm|title=Alums Author Sox Books|date=May 5, 2006|publisher=Tufts E-News|accessdate=2005-12-15}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> * ''Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits'', 2007, {{ISBN|0-312-36633-7}}, co-author David Ortiz, Professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox * ''Dynasty: The Inside Story of How the Red Sox Became a Baseball Powerhouse'', 2008, {{ISBN|978-0-312-38567-5}}, Foreword by Jason Varitek, professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox * ''Knuckler: My Life with Baseball's Most Confounding Pitch'', 2011, {{ISBN|978-0-547-51769-8}}, co-author Tim Wakefield, professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox * ''This is our city: four teams, twelve championships, and how Boston became the most dominant sports city in the world'', 2022, {{isbn|9781419753589}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Author readings around Boston Oct. 16–22 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/13/arts/author-readings-around-boston-oct-16-22/ |work=The Boston Globe |date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017213042/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/10/13/arts/author-readings-around-boston-oct-16-22/ |archive-date=October 17, 2022}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

{{s-start}} {{succession box | title=''Boston Herald'' Red Sox beat writer | before= ''unknown'' | years=1994–2008 | after= John Tomase }} {{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Massarotti, Tony}} Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Sports in Boston Category:The Boston Globe people Category:Boston Herald people Category:New England Sports Network people Category:Sportswriters from Massachusetts Category:American radio personalities Category:Boston Red Sox announcers Category:Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences alumni Category:Waltham High School alumni