NEW YORK — In the the top of the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, longtime radio voice of the Boston Red Sox Joe Castiglione announced his retirement at the end of the season.
This season marked Castiglione’s 42nd year in the booth. In December, Castiglione won the 2024 Ford C. Frick Award and was inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.
“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 said.
“It’s something I never really thought I’d do because usually in this industry you are told when to go. In this case, everyone has been so kind and understanding that I did bring this up to (the Red Sox) and in recent days and they were very, very gracious in accepting my decision to retire for the most part and to do what I want to do.”
The 77-year-old is the longest-tenured broadcaster in Red Sox history and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2014.
Castiglione said he’ll continue with the Red Sox in an ambassador type role making appearances at events, fantasy camps and spring training and will fill in on occasion on the broadcast when needed.
“Joe is one of the greatest in baseball broadcasting,” said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry. “His recognition by the Hall of Fame in July punctuated a career of vivid storytelling that has brought the game to life for generations of listeners.”
Since 1983 when Castiglione joined legendary broadcaster Ken Coleman in the radio booth, Castiglione has been as much the fabric of the team as anyone over the past half-century.
Castiglione is best known for his iconic call as the Red Sox clinched the 2004 World Series: “Ground ball, stabbed by Foulke. He has it, he underhands to first. And the Boston Red Sox are the World Champions. For the first time in 86 years the Red Sox have won baseball’s world championship, can you believe it?”
Last season, Castiglione announced a reduced work schedule, calling 81 games as the primary voice of the team, in order to spend more time with his wife Jan and their grandkids. He maintained a similar schedule this past season alongside play-by-play partner Will Flemming with Sean McDonough and Lou Merloni as other voices in the Red Sox radio mix.
In addition to his memorable 2004 World Series call, he also called the 2007, 2013 and 2018 World Series as well as both of Roger Clemens’ 20-strikeout games, in addition to four no-hitters.
In 2022, the home Fenway Park radio booth was named in his honor. The club will pay tribute to his storied career prior to its final regular season game on Sept. 29 at Fenway Park.
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(Photo: Maddie Malhotra / Boston Red Sox / Getty Images)
