Joe Castiglione, a Red Sox radio announcer who has called Boston games for more than four decades, will be retiring at the end of this season, he announced Sunday.
During the Red Sox-Yankees game in New York Sunday, Castiglione said on the radio broadcast that this season would be his last.
“I never thought this day would come but after 42 years and some 6,500 games, I think it’s time to hang up the microphone, at least on a regular basis and announce the retirement here,” Castiglione, a Marshfield resident, said.
Castiglione has been on the air for the Red Sox since 1983, including airing on the team's flagship station WEEI since 1989. It's the longest tenure of any play-by-play announcer in franchise history.
Here's what to know about Castiglione's announcement.
Joe Castiglione retiring from broadcasting, but still sticking around with Red Sox
Despite announcing his retirement from regular broadcasting, Joe Castiglione will still be around Fenway Park.
The team said in a release that Castiglione will have an "honorary ambassador" role after he hangs up his microphone at the end of the season.
Castiglione said during Sunday's broadcast that the role will entail appearances at events and occasionally filling in on broadcasts.
Joe Castiglione will be honored by Red Sox during final regular season game
Joe Castiglione, who has called Red Sox games for 42 years, will be honored by the team later this month after announcing his retirement.
In a release , the MLB said the Red Sox will be honoring Castiglione before the team's final regular season game at Fenway Park on Sept. 29.
Red Sox react to Joe Castiglione's retirement announcement
After longtime Red Sox broadcaster Joe Castiglione announced his retirement Sunday, members of the Red Sox management team reacted to the news.
Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry said in a release that Castiglione is "one of the greatest in baseball broadcasting."
"His kindness and genuine spirit have touched everyone around him and as he steps into a well-deserved retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of humility and warmth that will continue to inspire us all," Henry said.
Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said Castiglione is one of "New England's most beloved voices."
"His legacy will last well beyond his final call, and we are profoundly thankful for his service and the immeasurable impact he’s had on our organization and the game of baseball,” Werner said.
Who is Joe Castiglione?
Joe Castiglione is a longtime sports broadcaster who has called Red Sox games for more than 40 years and will retire at the end of the 2024 season.
Castiglione was born in Hamden, Connecticut, in 1947 and received degrees from Colgate University and Syracuse University.
After graduating, he worked as a television broadcaster in Ohio and Wisconsin before joining the Red Sox broadcast team at WPLM in 1983, later moving to WEEI in 1989.
The 77-year-old called four Red Sox championships in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018. While broadcasting the final out of the 2004 World Series victory, Castiglione called the famous line, "Can you believe it?"
He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014, and he was honored with the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award, an annual recognition for excellence in broadcasting, earlier this year.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Red Sox broadcaster Joe Castiglione announces retirement
Local News
Comments / 0