Howie Rose Chokes Up During Emotional Final Mets Broadcast
Beloved broadcaster receives touching tributes from fans and players in his last home game.
Beloved Mets broadcaster Howie Rose became emotional during his final home game broadcast on Sunday, struggling to hold back tears as fans and players paid tribute to him at Citi Field. Rose is retiring after calling the Mets' season finale against the Phillies.
As the broadcast returned from a commercial break in the ninth inning, the stadium's PA system played "Hello, Goodbye" by The Beatles, prompting Rose's voice to crack on air. He addressed listeners, acknowledging his departure while assuring them he would still be present for future ceremonies. "It’s not goodbye as far as I’m concerned," Rose said. "I’ll still be here for the ceremonies, and I don’t mean the retirement ceremonies, I mean Opening Day and when we have Mets Hall of Fame Day or retire a number or have an Old Timers Day. So I’m stepping away, basically a retirement … and I certainly appreciate your cheers if you’re listening in the ballpark."
Fans responded with "Howie Rose" chants, and video captured Rose reaching for tissues. He referenced advice from hockey great Mark Messier, joking that he had packed Kleenex for such an emotional moment.
Following the game, fans gathered outside the broadcast booth to cheer for Rose, and Mets players and staff emerged from the dugout to tip their caps towards him.
A planned celebration for Rose on Sunday was postponed to next season due to inclement weather. "Next year when we do this, whenever we do it … it’s going to be a party," Rose told fans. "It’s going to have such a positive feel to it."
Rose has been the lead radio voice for the Mets since 2006, also serving as a television broadcaster and pregame/postgame host for WFAN. His career also includes extensive work covering hockey, notably as the radio voice for the Rangers and the television voice for the Islanders. He has provided the soundtrack for numerous memorable New York sports moments, including Mike Piazza's home run after 9/11, Stephane Matteau's iconic goal for the Rangers in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, and John Tavares' series-clinching goal for the Islanders in 2016.
Rose's retirement follows that of other prominent New York sports broadcasters, including Yankees announcer John Sterling, who retired in 2024, and legendary Rangers TV voice Sam Rosen, who retired after the 2024-25 NHL season.