Red Sox Broadcaster Joe Castiglione Announces Retirement After 42 Seasons with Team
September 15, 2024
Legendary Boston Red Sox radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione announced his retirement from the booth on Sunday.
Red Sox @RedSoxHall of Fame broadcaster Joe Castiglione, the voice of the Boston Red Sox radio broadcast, has announced his retirement from the WEEI broadcast booth. <br><br>Thank you for bringing baseball to all of us for over four decades, Joe! <a href="https://t.co/cAVDd1gQ1C">pic.twitter.com/cAVDd1gQ1C</a>
Castiglione served as Boston's play-by-play announcer for 42 seasons, stretching from 1983 to 2024. He's expected to remain part of the organization in an honorary ambassador role, per Audacy.
He also released a statement following his decision.
"After 42 seasons with the Red Sox and more than 6,500 games, I have decided it's time to retire from a regular broadcast schedule," Castiglione said. "While I feel I am at the pinnacle of my career, have been blessed to call four World Championships, and received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Hall of Fame in July while working for the greatest franchise in sports, it's time to spend more time with Jan, my bride of almost 53 years, my kids, and grandkids."
Castiglione is the longest-tenured broadcaster in Red Sox history. He received the 2024 Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame, which is presented annually to broadcasters for major contributions to baseball. Castiglione was also inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014.
He'll continue to call games through the end of the regular season, with the organization paying tribute to his career before Boston's final game in Fenway Park on Sept. 29 (via Audacy).
"Joe is one of the greatest in baseball broadcasting," Red Sox principal owner John Henry said. "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. His brilliance in the booth is matched only by his exceptional character."
"We are grateful for his more than four decades of dedication and for sharing his love for baseball and the Red Sox with all of us night after night," he added.
Castiglione started his broadcasting career at WFMJ-TV in Ohio, beginning to call MLB games for Cleveland in 1979. He was part of the broadcasting booth for Milwaukee in 1981 before eventually moving to Boston.
Castiglione also called Cleveland Cavaliers games as well as college basketball matchups on NESN, although his career will be defined by his storied run with the Red Sox.