The cigarette smoke-infused laugh of Jerry Remy will be heard on NESN for years to come. The longtime Red Sox broadcaster -- he's in his 23rd season -- reached an agreement on Tuesday to a "multi-year contract extension" with the network.
"Let's say I'll be around a while,'' said Remy yesterday afternoon from Oakland, when asked if he could confirm the length of the deal. ‘‘There will be a time where it all comes to an end, but I don't know when that's going to be. It's not any time in the near future, that's for sure.''
Remy said the negotiation with NESN was just the way he wanted it: succinct and drama-free.
‘‘It took about 10 minutes to do the whole contract. We sat down at a table, had lunch, and that was it,'' Remy said. ‘‘I couldn't be more pleased with how it went. We actually talked about [an extension] last year, but when I got sick it sort of got put on the backburner. So really it was just a matter of time. We picked it up this year and rolled with it.''
Remy missed three months in 2009 as he recovered from surgery for lung cancer. This extension is likely an indication that he is feeling closer to 100 percent.
‘‘I’m feeling great,’’ Remy said. ‘‘Compared to what I felt like at this time last year, it’s miles of difference. Miles of difference.’’