A Mets Broadcaster Is Leaving the Booth. His Legendary Calls Will Live On.

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A Mets Broadcaster Is Leaving the Booth. His Legendary Calls Will Live On.

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Longtime New York Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose announced that the 2026 Major League Baseball season will be his final year calling games in the broadcast booth. Rose, who began working with the franchise in 1987 and moved to play-by-play duties in the 1990s, cited his desire to step away on his own terms after a decades-long career. Known for his signature catchphrase Put it in the books! following wins, Rose grew up a dedicated Mets fan in Queens and became a defining voice for generations of listeners. While he is leaving the radio booth, the club announced that Rose will continue hosting special on-field events at Citi Field, including Opening Day ceremonies and Mets Hall of Fame inductions. Neither the Mets nor their flagship radio station have named a permanent successor for the upcoming seasons.

Published 2026-09-20 11:44:58 UTC · Published by JQJO

Prepared by Ayesha A. · AI assisted

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Timeline

On January 1, 1987, Howie Rose began hosting pre-and postgame shows for Mets radio.
On June 14, 1994, Rose delivered his legendary Matteau call for Rangers hockey victory.
On October 17, 1999, Rose called Robin Ventura grand slam single in National League.
On March 1, 2004, Rose officially transitioned to full-time radio play-by-play broadcasting role.
On October 27, 2006, Rose covered the Mets deep postseason run through October baseball.
On September 1, 2021, Rose stepped away temporarily to undergo medical treatment for cancer.
On July 20, 2023, Rose was officially inducted into the New York Mets Hall.
On March 19, 2026, Howie Rose publicly announced that the 2026 season ends.
On September 20, 2026, Rose approaches the final weeks of his ultimate broadcasting season.
On October 1, 2026, Rose will conclude his final regular season calling Mets games.
Expect the organization to honor Rose extensively during final home games.
Expect the Mets to announce a new radio voice by winter.

Why it matters

Immediate US impact: New York sports fans mourn impending departure of legendary voice. Possible long-term US impact: Sets new benchmark for local sports broadcasting legacy and loyalty. Most affected groups: New York Mets fans, listeners, media workers, and sports historians. Reader priority: Official team announcements, tribute retrospectives, and broadcast succession updates.

Coverage notes

Left: Focused on cultural community impact and historical New York regional footprint. Center: Focused strictly on professional achievements and career retirement timeline details. Right: Emphasized traditional sports milestones and classic broadcasting legacy elements.