As Howie Rose prepares to conclude his tenure as the lead radio announcer for the New York Mets, the atmosphere inside Citi Field reflects both quiet anticipation and a sense of nostalgia. On a sunny September afternoon, with 42,000 empty seats waiting to be filled and groundskeepers meticulously tending the field, Rose settles into the Bob Murphy Broadcast Booth, a space from which he has shaped the sound of Mets baseball for decades.

Rose, a Queens native whose career has spanned the era of Shea Stadium to the present incarnation of Citi Field, is concluding his final week on the air. His position in the broadcast booth, accompanied by his laptop and notes, has long served as a kind of clubhouse for listeners — a place where fans tune in every game on 880-AM to hear detailed, engaging commentary on the Mets, even in seasons without playoff prospects like this one.

Throughout his career, Rose has demonstrated an ability to blend humor, insight, and storytelling into the rhythm of three-hour broadcasts. Despite the team’s struggles this season, he continues to offer sharp observations, such as reflecting on the emergence of lesser-known players like Orioles outfielder Rece Hinds. His connection with fans has only deepened as his departure approaches, with many listeners and supporters stopping by the booth to offer well-wishes and share memories.

Radio baseball remains a cherished tradition, even as television and digital media dominate sports coverage. For Rose, the medium’s intimacy is literal and profound, he says, something he understands deeply after growing up in the Bronx listening to Yankees broadcasts with his father. Rose credits legendary broadcasters like Mel Allen, Bob Murphy, Lindsey Nelson, and Marv Albert as key influences on his style and approach. Albert, in particular, served both as an idol and later as a mentor who recognized Rose’s dedication at an early age.

“I used to say to myself, if I can just get somebody out there to believe in me, I could be the Mets’ Mel Allen,” Rose recalled. More than six decades later, that aspiration has been realized, as he has become the familiar voice synonymous with Mets baseball for generations of fans.

As Rose prepares to hand over the reins to his longtime broadcast partner Keith Raad, the sense of transition is palpable. Yet, amid the change, the traditions of ballpark life and the enduring nature of baseball radio continue to resonate — a testament to the bond between the game, its broadcasters, and the fans who listen in year after year.