The New York Mets recently shared a video of one of the biggest stars announcing his retirement. While the news left the Mets fans devastated, manager Carlos Mendoza quickly followed the announcement with a bold promise to the legend. If the Mets can fulfill the commitment, it will go down as the ultimate tribute to a man adored by the fans and the organisation. 

“After [the retirement announcement] became public, Mendy texted me and said, ‘we’re going to win it all this year,’” Mets off-field star said in an interview with WFAN Sports Radio from March 19.

Howie Rose is a famous sportscaster associated with the New York Mets for almost four decades. And now he has announced that this is going to be very meaningful to him since “2026 will be [his] final season in the Mets broadcast booth.”

Mendoza wasted no time reaching out to him. Rose appeared on the WFAN interview roughly an hour and a half after the Mets dropped the bomb on social media. And he got Mendoza’s text much before that. 

“I thought it was so cool that he said that because I told him nothing would make me happier,” Rose said. 

Rose started in 1987 with ‘Mets Extra,’  a pre- and post-game show on WFAN. He was the lead play-by-play TV voice from 1996 to 2003. He then moved on to the radio booth, and his play-by-play voice has been immortalized for the fans. 

Steve Cohen and his wife, Alex, honored him by terming his voice “synonymous with New York Mets baseball.” 

Howie Rose was included in the Mets Hall of Fame in 2023. It positioned him alongside other legends like Bob Murphy and Ralph Kiner before him. 

The 72-year-old said that he might still be involved with the Mets after his retirement. How? He will continue to be the Master of Ceremonies for the team in all special events.

“I would like nothing better than to bookend that by serving as Master of Ceremonies on the steps of Citi 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.”

Notably, the Mets won their last World Series in 1986, the year before Rose joined the club. And it will send every single fan’s excitement through the roof if they can win it this year. 

But for now, the impact of his decision is too heavy on their hearts. 

Fans share tributes and memories before Howie Rose starts his farewell season

“THANK YOU, HOWIE!! Been a pleasure listening to you over the past 38 years, and looking forward to hearing you in the 39th! Will NEVER forget your MATTEAU!!! Thanks for ALL the great memories!” one fan wrote. It is unbelievable how an entity outside the field has had such an impact on the fans throughout his career. 

“I grew up listening to the legendary Lindsey Nelson, Bob Murphy, and Ralph Kiner. Howie was a more than worthy successor,” read another comment. Nelson, Murphy, and Kiner were the original Mets broadcasting trio during the 60s and 70s. Rose’s legacy is as incredible as theirs. 

“Say it ain’t so, Howie! This is breaking my heart. You have been the Mets to me (along with Gary) for my whole life – from the days of Hubie Brooks and Dave Kingman. You really make the game come alive on the radio, the best there is.  We are really going to miss you,” a heartbroken fan reacted.

Kingman and Brooks were key players during the 70s and early 80s. The reaction simply shows how Howie Rose has immortalized the moments for the fans. 

“Yankee fan here. I literally tune in to met games just to listen to howie. What a pleasure it’s been. Nobody calls a game like howie. Thank u @HowieRose,” another user wrote. It’s no wonder that the legend has fans from the cross-city rivals. 

“Sad day. Howie you have been synonymous with Mets baseball. Nothing better than a summer day on the beach or in the yard with Mets baseball playing on the radio. You made AM radio worth listening. Congrats and let’s hope you get your deserved wish of a championship,” read another comment.

Rose sure made the fans nostalgic with his announcement. Especially the ones who have been starving for a World Series for 40 years. He made every small win so memorable for them. 

The most powerful comment came from a father. “In the first days of spring training, 24, my son and I ran into Howie wandering the complex. No games yet, First drills. He autographed a ball for my son, while saying “why would anyone want MY autograph”. Thats why we love him. He’s one of us,” he wrote.

Even with all the legacy and fan following, Howie Rose was just another human being. Just another fan echoing the thoughts and optimism of hundreds and thousands. 

The New York Mets haven’t found much success in October in the past few years. Let’s hope that changes this year. Let’s hope that Carlos Mendoza can keep his promise. And we genuinely hope that the Mets finally give something for Howie Rose to “Put it in the books!” for one last time.