Howie Rose, the longtime New York Mets broadcaster who is also a key part of New York Rangers Stanley Cup lore, will retire after the 2026 baseball season.
While not a truly national media figure, Rose has cultivated a strong following in the New York area in the decades since joining Mets broadcasts in 1987. He capped off every win by the team by crying out his signature phrase, “Put it in the books!”
The team shared a video Thursday with Rose sharing his thoughts about stepping away from the microphone.
“Trust me, I did not arrive at this decision to retire easily,” he said. “I’ve been going back and forth in my mind about it for the last few years. But the simple reality is that I am 72 years old and my wife, Barbara, who has sacrificed so much for so long deserves to have her husband around a little more often – whether she likes it or not.”
Rose said it won’t be a “clean break” and he plans to remain involved with the team’s media presence in a yet-to-be determined capacity. As a Queens, NY native who has rooted for the Mets since their inaugural season in 1962, Rose said it would be “impossible” to break his bond with the team.
Primarily a radio voice since 2004, Rose before that handled play-by-play on the team’s TV broadcasts. Since the launch of regional sports network SNY in 2006, the TV booth has been occupied by the well-regarded trio of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling.
Even though his radio work perhaps reached a smaller core audience than TV, Rose has remained a fan favorite, especially for followers of the Rangers, many of whom can recite Rose’s “Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!” TV call in ’94 word-for-word. (Stéphane Matteau scored the winning goal in overtime, sending the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final and on to their first NHL title in 54 years.)
“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,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “Generations of Mets fans have grown up listening to Howie call the game with authenticity, energy and a deep appreciation for what this team means to our community.”
Rose’s retirement comes relatively soon another sign-off by a prominent New York radio voice. John Sterling, who started doing play-by-play for the New York Yankees in 1989, called it a career in 2024.
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