Howie Rose

Howie Rose
Rose in 2013
Born
Howard Jeffrey Rose

(1954-02-13) February 13, 1954 (age 72)
New York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationSportscaster
SpouseBarbara
Children2 daughters

Howard Jeffrey Rose (born February 13, 1954) is an American retired sportscaster who was a broadcaster for the New York Mets, New York Rangers and New York Islanders. He was a Mets broadcaster from 1987-2026.

Early life

Rose was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to a Jewish family. Rose's father, an avid New York Yankees fan, encouraged his baseball fandom. When the New York Mets moved into Shea Stadium in 1964, Rose became a regular attendee at games. He attended PS 205Q (The Alexander Graham Bell School), Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Bayside, Queens, and graduated from Queens College in 1977.

Career

Rose started his career doing sports updates on New York City-based Sports Phone, a telephone dial-in service, in 1975, which led to sports updates on news radio station WCBS-AM through the early 1980s. He was the original prime-time radio host on WFAN when the station went all-sports in 1987, hosting the program until 1995.

New York Mets (1987–2026)

Rose called Mets play-by-play on radio or television from 1995 until his retirement in 2026, and is regarded by fans and media outlets alike as an expert in Mets history. He hosted the "Mets Extra" pre- and post-game shows from 1987–1994. He worked the television booth from 1995 until the retirement of long-time Mets radio voice Bob Murphy in 2003. This included serving as a pre- and post-game host during the 2000 World Series. The following year, Rose took Murphy's spot alongside Gary Cohen on WFAN.

Cohen became the play-by-play broadcaster on then-new Mets television network SportsNet New York (SNY) starting during the 2006 season, and Rose began sharing the radio booth with partner Tom McCarthy from 2006-07. In 2008, Wayne Hagin replaced McCarthy, and from 2012 to 2018, Rose called games with Josh Lewin. From 2019 to 2022, Rose called games with Wayne Randazzo. From 2023 season until his retirement in 2026, Howie's booth partner was Keith Raad, with Pat McCarthy (since 2023) occasionally filling in. From 2014 to 2018, he called games on WOR, before moving to WCBS in 2019. He has also co-hosted MLB Now, joining Brian Kenny, Mark DeRosa, and Ken Rosenthal on MLB Network.

He called the Mets' loss to the Kansas City Royals in the 2015 World Series.

Rose has also been the master of the ceremonies during key Mets events, including Opening Day at Shea Stadium and Citi Field since 2004. He has hosted ceremonies marking the opening of Citi Field in 2009, the 40th anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series victory, a special pregame ceremony honoring Ralph Kiner in 2008, Mike Piazza's number retirement ceremony in 2016, and Old-Timers' Day in 2022. Additionally, he hosted the number retirement ceremonies of Keith Hernandez, Dwight Gooden (2024), Darryl Strawberry (2024), David Wright (2025), and Carlos Beltran (2026).

In 2022, Rose began to cut back his schedule, calling approximately 100 games a season, following health issues; this included road trips to National League East opponents. By the 2026 season, he only called home games and the Subway Series matchups played at Yankee Stadium.

On March 19, 2026, Rose announced that he would retire from the Mets at the conclusion of the 2026 season. He called his final game on September 20, when the Mets played the Philadelphia Phillies in a 7–2 loss in their final home game of the season. Plans to honor him with a pregame ceremony were scrapped due to inclement weather, with a formal ceremony honoring him set to take place on Opening Weekend 2027.

Hockey

Rose worked as a play-by-play radio announcer for the New York Rangers, and was paired mainly with Sal Messina. He is most recognized by Rangers fans for his call when Stéphane Matteau scored the game-winning goal in double-overtime of game seven of the 1994 NHL Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils en route to the Stanley Cup Final.

"Fetisov, for the Devils, plays it cross-ice into the far corner. Matteau swoops in to intercept. Matteau behind the net, swings it in front – HE SCORES! MATTEAU! MATTEAU! MATTEAU! STÉPHANE MATTEAU! And the Rangers have one more hill to climb, baby! But it's Mount Vancouver! The Rangers are headed to the Finals!"

The Rangers would go on to win the cup that year over the Vancouver Canucks 4 games to 3, their first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years.

Rose was the play-by-play announcer for Islanders telecasts where he worked alongside Butch Goring. For the 2009–10 season, Rose's work was simulcast on radio as well. Rose replaced Jiggs McDonald on Islanders broadcasts in 1995–96 and was previously partnered with Ed Westfall, Joe Micheletti, and Billy Jaffe.

After the 2015–16 season, Rose announced he would not return to call Islanders games after the end of the season.

Other career roles

Rose occasionally worked games for Fox NHL Saturday in the mid-1990s, and now works for MLB on Fox. He has also called Long Island Blackbirds basketball and soccer.

On March 1, 2013, his book Put It In the Book was released. The book, co-written with Phil Pepe, is an autobiography and memoir of 50 years of Mets history.

Announcing style

Rose's end-of-game catchphrase is, "Put it in the books", used after the final out is recorded in a Mets win. After Mets losses, Rose says "and the ballgame is over". When he uses the phrasing "and the Mets are leading by a score of _ to _", he is using the same diction as original Mets broadcaster Lindsey Nelson.

Awards and honors

In 2012, Rose was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He has won two Emmy Awards for excellence in broadcasting for the New York Islanders. In 2019, it was announced that he would be inducted into the New York Baseball Hall of Fame. On June 3, 2023, Rose was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame. That same year, on May 31, Rose was honored by the team with a talking bobblehead which repeats his end-of-game phrase, "Put it in the books!"

Rose is scheduled to be honored by the Mets in a pre-game ceremony on Opening Weekend 2027.

Personal life

Rose is married to Barbara, and they have two daughters. Their daughter Alyssa has worked for the Mets organization as a social media personality, and has worked on soap operas such as One Life to Live, had two separate podcasts, called Scoring Position and Drunk Love, and currently works for SportsNet New York (SNY). He lives in Woodbury on Long Island.

During the 2021 season, Rose missed time with an undisclosed medical issue, first from April 13–20, and later missing the last month of the season. Rose was diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent a radical cystoprostatectomy in September 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 Marzlock, Ron (April 28, 2022). "On the diamond or ice, Howie puts it in the books!". Queens Chronicle.
  2. ↑ "Howie Rose". CBS New York. Archived from the original on August 5, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2022. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Bayside, Howie currently lives on Long Island with his wife and two daughters.
  3. ↑ Freund, Michael. "The man behind the voice: An interview with New York sportscaster Howie Rose". michaelfreund.org. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ Ivry, Benjamin. "100 years of baseball on radio, a century of Jewish announcers". forward.com. The Forward Association, Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Howie Rose". MSG Network. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  6. ↑ Rose, Howie; Pepe, Phil (2013). Put It In The Book!: A Half Century of Mets Mania. Chicago, Illinois: Triumph Books. p. 43.
  7. 1 2 McShane, Chris (April 2, 2013). "A chat with Howie Rose, Mets radio broadcaster". Amazin' Avenue.
  8. ↑ Hoornstra, J.P. "Tributes pour in as Mets legend announces retirement". thebiglead.com. TheBigLead. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ Tasch, Justin. "Howie Rose reveals why he nearly left Mets 15 years ago". nypost.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ Best, Neil (February 19, 2019). "Randazzo embracing move to booth with Howie Rose". Newsday. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019.
  11. ↑ Burke, Don. "'It's heartfelt': Howie Rose's lifetime of baseball with the Mets". nypost.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  12. ↑ Britton, Tim (August 28, 2022). "'It starts at the top': Mets welcome alums back into the family with Old Timers Day". The Athletic. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Howie Rose to Host on WFAN Monday to Commemorate 50 Years in Broadcasting". barrettmedia.com. Barrett Media. June 24, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  14. ↑ Wassink, Zac. "Legendary Mets announcer Howie Rose explains major career decision". yardbarker.com. YB Media, LLC. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  15. ↑ "A message from @HowieRose". x.com. March 19, 2026.
  16. ↑ DiComo, Anthony. "Howie Rose set to retire from Mets radio booth after '26 season". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LLC. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
  17. ↑ Braziller, Zach. "Mets honoring Howie Rose with special retirement ceremony before final regular season game". nypost.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Mets reschedule Howie Rose ceremony to Opening Weekend 2027". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
  19. ↑ Kaplan, Dave (February 8, 2019). "For Stephane Matteau, a Famous Goal Could Not Cover the Darkness". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  20. ↑ Best, Neil (February 8, 2019). "Forever linked by goal and call, Stephane Matteau and Howie Rose recall 1994 Rangers". Newsday. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  21. ↑ McCarron, Anthony (May 14, 2012). "For Howie Rose, 'Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!' call in NY Rangers' Game 7 win still lights lamp". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  22. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (August 29, 1995). "TV SPORTS; Rose for Any Other Team Is Still a Strong Voice". The New York Times. p. B13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  23. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (October 12, 1998). "TV SPORTS; For the Islanders' Opener, Picture Was Truly Dark". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  24. ↑ Pargas, Mark (December 11, 2007). "Fighting a Drought on the Island". Slap Shot. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  25. ↑ Best, Neil (May 18, 2016). "Howie Rose, Islanders' TV play-by-play man, won't return next season". Newsday. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  26. ↑ Wire, S. I. (May 18, 2016). "Howie Rose steps down as Islanders broadcaster". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  27. ↑ Kussoy, Howie (May 18, 2016). "Howie Rose won't be back in booth next year for Islanders". Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Howie Rose's ' Put It In The Book ' Account Of Mets Baseball Touches All The Bases". uticaod.com. Utica Observer-Dispatch. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ Barbuti, Angela. "Howie Rose on his 'Put it in the books' bobblehead and the catchphrase". nypost.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  30. ↑ Harder, Jon. "Howie Rose – Last Of A Dying Breed". legendsondeck.com. Legends On Deck. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Mets Broadcaster Howie Rose Will be Inducted to New York State Baseball Hall of Fame". WCBS 880. August 14, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Howard Johnson, Al Leiter, Gary Cohen and Howie Rose elected to the Mets Hall of Fame". MLB.com (Press release). Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  33. ↑ Barbuti, Angela. "Howie Rose on his 'Put it in the books' bobblehead and the catchphrase". nypost.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Mets broadcasters". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media, LLC. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Howie Rose, Islanders Play-By-Play Announcer". MSG.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  36. ↑ Waldstein, David (August 30, 2021). "Howie Rose Steps Away From Mets, but Plans to Return Next Year". The New York Times. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  37. ↑ Marchand, Andrew (February 1, 2023). "Mets voice Howie Rose reveals bladder cancer battle". New York Post. Retrieved October 7, 2023.