Rangers play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen to retire after season

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Sports holds a very special place in my heart, and the men and women that describe any sporting event are the voices of our youth, adulthood and fandom. Sam Rosen is one of those voices.

Rosen is as good of a human being as he is a play-by-play man. It was announced Tuesday that this year will be his last calling New York Rangers hockey, which will be his 40th season. Rosen wants to spend more time with his family after this season and wants to retire on top at 77 years old.

Rosen was born in Germany, and his family moved to Brooklyn when he was 2 years old. He was a very good baseball player growing up, playing catcher at Stuyvesant High School and City College of New York.

Rosen began his broadcasting career at WINS and UPI Audio before joining MSG Networks in 1977. He began as the lead TV voice for the Rangers in 1984 and worked with Phil Esposito, John Davidson and Joe Micheletti.

Rosen is a trusted voice. He takes care of the viewer and is honest in his assessment of the team. His classic call, “It’s a power-play goal,” began in the 1987-88 season.

On June 14, 1994, the Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 54 years. Rosen captured the moment perfectly: “The waiting is over! The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup champions! And this one will last a lifetime!”

Rosen is a Hall of Famer and it would be great to see the Rangers win a Cup this year for the first time since 1994 in Rosen’s final year in the booth.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.