FLUSHING, N.Y. — Howie Rose, the longtime voice of the New York Mets, confirmed on Thursday that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 season after a broadcasting career spanning four decades with the organization, reports Baltimore Chronicle via ESPN. The 72-year-old began his journey with the Mets in 1987, initially serving as a pregame and postgame host and occasionally performing play-by-play duties. Since 2006, he has been the team’s lead play-by-play radio announcer, following in the footsteps of legendary voices such as Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy, and Ralph Kiner.
Rose, reflecting on his career, said he grew up watching games from the upper deck of Shea Stadium in the 1960s and 1970s. “My long career as a Mets broadcaster has been the epitome of ‘Living the Dream,'” he remarked. He plans to cover all home games and the three road games against the New York Yankees during the 2026 regular season, as well as every home and away game during the postseason.
Starting on television in 1996, Rose served as the Mets’ lead TV announcer until 2003, before returning to radio in 2004 alongside Gary Cohen and later assuming the role of lead radio voice. His contributions to the franchise were formally recognized with his induction into the Mets Hall of Fame in 2023.
Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen praised Rose, stating, “For nearly four decades, Howie Rose’s voice has been synonymous with New York Mets baseball. His passion for the Mets has carried across the airwaves and into the homes and hearts of fans everywhere, bringing the franchise’s most memorable moments to life.” They expressed gratitude for his decades-long dedication to both the team and its supporters and wished him well as he embarks on this next chapter with his wife Barbara and their daughters, Alyssa and Chelsea.
Beyond the Mets, Rose has a rich broadcasting history in hockey. He was the play-by-play announcer for New York Rangers games on WFAN from 1989 to 1995 and for the New York Islanders on Fox Sports New York from 1995 through 2016. Despite stepping back from regular game coverage, he will continue to serve as master of ceremonies for Mets’ on-field events at Citi Field, including Opening Day, Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, and jersey retirements.
Rose acknowledged in a video shared by the Mets on social media that he does not intend to make a complete separation from the organization. “Hopefully I’ll be involved now and then in some still-to-be-determined capacity. Because for me, letting go of the Mets isn’t hard — it’s impossible,” he said.
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