Legendary New York Mets broadcaster Howie Rose called it a career Sunday in his final radio broadcast as the Mets lead play-by-play voice.
Rose who covered the Mets for 39 years beginning in 1987, built a lasting legacy as one of the many great local voices to lend his pipes to the Amazin's. When you think of the Mets and broadcasters, Rose is right up there along with Gary Cohen, Bob Murphy, Lindsay Nelson, and Ralph Kiner.Rose began his career as the host of the Mets pre and post game shows in 1987. By 1995 he moved into the broadcast booth as the voice of the Mets TV telecasts, first on Sports Channel, and then on Fox Sports Net New York.
In 2004, he took over the slot vacated by Murphy when he retired, sitting alongside Gary Cohen for two seasons, before Cohen switched over to TV and SNY.
Since 2006, Rose has been the lead voice of Mets radio broadcasts joined by a cast of different broadcasters from Eddie Coleman, Wayne Hagen, Josh Lewin, Wayne Randazzo, and Keith Radd.
On Sunday, the Mets had to postpone a ceremony to him due to the lingering rain storm in the area, it will be made up next season, but that wasn't enough to dampen the moment. The game went on, the Mets lost 7-2, and with each passing inning Rose became more emotional. When he signed off, he had tears in his eyes as the mets players came out of the dugout tipping their caps to him. He waved to the crowd who gave him a standing ovation.
Much deserved for the man who made catch phrases like "Put it in the Books" and "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" a part of the lexicon of New York sports.

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