Howie Rose to retire as Mets radio voice after season

Howie Rose’s voice has become synonymous with Mets baseball over the past 40 years.

But for the 72-year-old Rose, who has been in the Mets’ radio booth since 2004 and started his journey hosting pregame and postgame shows in 1987, the 2026 season will be his final one.

In a video shared by the Mets on social media Thursday morning, Rose announced his decision.

A message from @HowieRose: pic.twitter.com/PwC89TDduy

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 19, 2026

“I've been blessed to be a part of Mets broadcasts in one capacity or another since 1987, and every season's been unique and significant in its own way,” Rose said. “This year, though, will be especially meaningful to me, because 2026 will be my final season in the Mets broadcast booth.

“Now trust me, I did not arrive at this decision to retire easily. I've been going back and forth in my mind about it for the last few years. But the simple reality is that I'm 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 told Newsday last month that he was planning to reduce his workload this season from 100 games to 84. He said Thursday that he will be in the booth for every game at Citi Field, the Mets’ three games at Yankee Stadium and every potential postseason game – home or away.

“I first met Howie Rose in 1987 when he was doing Mets pre and postgame," Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman told Newsday on Thursday. "Wasn't doing the games yet. And I remember, and I don't even know if he knows that I saw this, he would practice play by play in a little room that was in the old studio off the old studio of WFAN. Howie Rose worked so hard to be a great play-by-play announcer, I don't think people understand. He'd listen to himself, and he'd critique himself, and I'd see it. He'd be in this little room. As good as it got, as good as it got."

Rose said Thursday that he is “not planning on making a clean break” with the Mets and hopes to be involved “now and then” in a “to-be-determined capacity.” He said that “letting go of the Mets isn't hard, it's impossible,” mentioning the bond he has created with the fans throughout the years.

“For nearly four decades, Howie Rose’s voice has been synonymous with New York Mets baseball,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “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. 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.

“We are grateful for the relationship we’ve built with Howie and for the dedication he has shown to the organization and our fans since 1987. We congratulate Howie on an extraordinary career and wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter with his wife, Barbara, and their daughters, Alyssa and Chelsea.”

For the first time this year, the Mets’ WHSQ 880 AM radio broadcast – featuring Rose, Keith Raad and Pat McCarthy – will be available in real time with virtually no delay to fans attending games at Citi Field through the MLB Ballpark App.

Rose said he is always “honored” to start the season as the emcee for Mets’ Opening Day – which is a week from Thursday against the Pirates – but he has an even better vision to end his Mets broadcasting career.

“This year in particular, I would like nothing better than to bookend that by serving as master of ceremonies on the steps of City Hall after a trip down the Canyon of Heroes immediately following the season,” Rose said. “That would make this dream that I've lived complete.”