It's a moment that has to be bittersweet for Fisher Cats public address announcer Alex James.

This week, Alex and a few friends launched a Twitter campaign to get the attention of the Red Sox so Alex can fill the void left by Carl Beane. Beane, the PA voice of the Red Sox since 2003, died in May.

Maybe you've heard of Alex's efforts this week. He's been no stranger to this column. Alex has been a boss and a friend since we worked together a few years ago. I chronicled his struggles of unemployment, then his brush with greatness as he auditioned with the Chicago Cubs.

What's missing in this story so far is that Alex and Carl were friends.

“It's different because I knew the guy. I was shocked,” Alex said of Beane's death, “we had developed a professional relationship of sorts.”

A few times a season, Beane and his wife would trek up to New Hampshire to sit with Alex during a Fisher Cats game. They would talk shop, and Carl would take it in.

“He would come from the start of pre-game until the end of fireworks,” Alex told me. A commitment of roughly five hours. This would be in addition to Beane's regular routine of 81 Red Sox home games.

Let it be known: Carl Beane was an artisan and an artist, and had a taste and feel for the game matched by few. For what its worth, Carl Beane lived and breathed Red Sox, putting his heart and soul into what he was doing.

Which is why it makes sense for Alex to fill his shoes.

The first day I met Alex, as he was introduced as my boss he mentioned something about wanting to be a PA announcer. He started shortly after as the voice of the ill-fated Manchester Millrats basketball team.

Since then, he's worked his way to a comfy spot above the fans at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. And right now, all he's asking for is a chance at Fenway.

I realize the call up from Double A ball is rare, but those who do it usually succeed and are making the leap for a reason.

Professional sports as a whole is an awful enterprise lately. Scandal after scandal is now trickling down into college and high school levels. It's hard to watch. Maybe this is a chance for baseball to make good to us. Show that Red Sox nation is more than just Yawkey Way, Harvard Square or the Back Bay. Show us that the boundaries stretch to Elm Street, to South Willow Street, and Lake Massabesic. That it includes places like New Hampshire as possibilities to explore for Red Sox fans and even employees.

I'll say it. If the Red Sox don't do this, it's a travesty. Alex is as close to the heir apparent as you can get. It's as close to the boy-does-good/Field of Dreams/local guy-makes the big leagues plot as you can get. And beyond that, Alex is good at what he does. The Sox would get a pro, and one that could fill those shoes for a long time to come.

Shortly after Carl's death, Alex dedicated his season with the Fisher Cats to Carl. A note in the booth reminds him of his friend.

If you are so inclined, and want to help Alex (and are on Twitter) simply tweet @redsox “#Alex4SoxPA”. So far, he's gotten little more than the old “we'll let you know” from the Red Sox brass. I sincerely hope that changes. All the kid is asking for is a chance, and all the Sox need to do is let him. Pretty simple.

They need to do it. For local fans. For love of the game, and for Carl.

Adam McCune is the author of “Funny Man Down.” McCune's Manchester appears Thursdays in the New Hampshire Union Leader. You can e-mail Adam at amccune@gmail.com.