Pete Rose Teases Shock Mets Booth Comeback: “Door Wide Open”
Howie Rose Says Goodbye to the Mets Booth — But Maybe Not Forever
The Big News: Final Game on September 20
Beloved New York Mets radio announcer Howie Rose will call his last regular-season game on September 20. After that, he’s officially retiring from his full-time role as the team’s play-by-play voice — the person who describes every pitch, hit, and home run on the radio.
Important Point: Howie has been the sound of Mets baseball for decades. His voice is as much a part of the team as the orange and blue uniforms.
Not Quite Goodbye: Rose Might Still "Pop In"
Here’s the good news for fans: Howie isn’t disappearing completely.
At a recent event at Citi Field, he hinted that he might still:
- MC special ceremonies (like Hall of Fame inductions and number retirements)
- Fill in for a game or two if the new announcers need a break
- Return for a series here and there in the future
He said: "I’m not saying I’ll never do another game after Sept. 20th, but as a full-time thing, that’ll be it."
Why He’s Stepping Away (Even Though He Still Can Do It)
Howie is 72 years old and says he could keep going for a few more years. But his heart isn’t in it the same way anymore.
His reasons:
- He hates doing only half the games — this year he only did home games (81) plus 3 at Yankee Stadium.
- He loves being with the team every day — on the road and at home.
- He feels like he’s "parachuting in and out" — not fully part of the journey anymore.
- The travel grind is exhausting — hotels, flights, late nights, early mornings.
He joked: "If they could plop me in the booth at 7, and teleport me to Florida by 10… maybe. But it’s all the other stuff."
The Documentary: "Howie Rose: Put It In the Books"
A 54-minute film about Howie’s life premieres Tuesday night on SNY (after the postgame show). It’ll re-air multiple times.
What’s inside:
- His childhood in Bayside, Queens
- How Marv Albert helped him get his first radio job at WHN (later WFAN)
- His time calling Rangers and Islanders games
- His famous "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" call from the 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs
- How he created his signature line: "Put It In the Books!" (said after every Mets win)
- Funny stories about his golf game (spoiler: his friends tease him a lot)
- Emotional family moments — bring tissues
One surprise: A 30-year-old misunderstanding with Mike Francesa gets resolved on camera!
Career Highlights Covered in the Film
| Team / Role | Years | Notable Moment |
|---|---|---|
| WFAN Radio | 1980s–2000s | Helped build sports talk radio in NY |
| NY Rangers | 1990s | "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" — Game 7, 1994 ECF |
| NY Islanders | 1990s–2000s | Voice of the "Fishsticks" era |
| NY Mets | 2004–present | "Put It In the Books!" after every win |
Stephane Matteau (the Rangers hero) appears in the doc — wearing a Howard Johnson Mets jersey!
Personal Stories That Hit Hard
- Pete Alonso (former Mets star, now with the Orioles) appears in the film — wearing an Orioles cap.
- Howie calls it a "jarring dose of reality" — a reminder that not every story has a perfect ending.
- The documentary shows how much Mets fans mean to Howie — he calls them family.
- You’ll see how much he loves golf… and how bad he is at it (his friends love roasting him).
What’s Next for Howie?
After September 20, he’s heading to Florida like many New Yorkers do.
But this might not be the last chapter — and that’s the best news of all for Mets fans.
Summary
- Howie Rose is retiring from full-time Mets radio after Sept. 20.
- He’ll still host ceremonies and may fill in for games occasionally.
- He’s stepping down because the travel grind wears him down and he doesn’t believe in part-time announcing.
- A new SNY documentary ("Put It In the Books") airs Tuesday night — it covers his whole career, emotional moments, and even resolves an old feud.
- Famous calls: "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" (Rangers) and "Put It In the Books!" (Mets).
- He’s moving to Florida — but don’t be surprised if you hear his voice again.
FAQ
1. When is Howie Rose’s last game?
September 20 — that’s his final scheduled game as the full-time radio play-by-play announcer.
2. Will we ever hear him call a Mets game again?
Probably yes! He said he might "pop in" for a game or series if the new announcers need a break — especially in 2027.
3. What is "Put It In the Books"?
It’s Howie’s signature call after every Mets win. He came up with it himself, and it’s become iconic with fans.
4. Where can I watch the documentary?
"Howie Rose: Put It In the Books" premieres Tuesday night on SNY, right after the postgame show. It will re-air multiple times.
5. Why is he retiring if he can still do the job?
Because he doesn’t want to just do home games — he loves being with the team every day, on the road too. The travel and schedule have lost their spark, even if his skills haven’t.