BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox held an emotional pregame ceremony on the field to celebrate the remarkable career of Joe Castiglione, the team’s beloved radio announcer, who called his final game on Sunday. Castiglione, 74, has been the lead voice of the Red Sox on the radio since 1983, and his contributions to the sport were honored this summer when he received the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
During the ceremony, fans were treated to a montage of Castiglione’s most memorable calls, accompanied by highlights from the Red Sox’s iconic teams, including the 1986 American League championship team and the World Series champions of 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018. Prominent players from those championship teams, including Hall of Famers Jim Rice and Pedro Martinez, also took the field to pay tribute.
Reflecting on his legendary call of the 2004 championship that ended an 86-year title drought, Castiglione expressed gratitude to the fans during the ceremony. The call accompanied a ground ball to pitcher Keith Foulke, who was present to represent the team. “I will miss being your eyes and ears,” he shared with a sense of nostalgia, adding, “For 42 years, all I can say is: Can you believe it!”
When asked about his emotions after calling the final out of the game, a line drive by Tampa Bay’s Richie Palacios that secured a 3-1 victory for the Red Sox, he admitted, “I was sort of numb. It felt a bit like the ninth inning in St. Louis in ‘04. … It still really hasn’t set in, and it probably won’t until next spring.” Castiglione resonated with the fans and players as they expressed their appreciation for his enduring dedication.
Before the top of the eighth inning, a heartfelt video was displayed on the center-field scoreboard, showcasing Castiglione’s iconic calls. After it concluded, the entire Red Sox dugout came out to honor him, with players, coaches, and manager Alex Cora applauding him from the field as he stood in the booth behind home plate. This display profoundly moved Castiglione, who noted, “I had some moments, especially when Alex brought the players out.”
As part of the festivities, Jackie Bradley, the 2018 ALCS MVP, ceremoniously caught a pitch thrown by Castiglione. Martinez commented on the dedication required over the years, stating, “Forty-two years is a long, long time for someone to be working every single day through the struggles and successes. Those are the kind of people we respect.” The respect shown on this day underscored the special place Castiglione holds in the hearts of fans and players alike.
In recognition of his significant contributions, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu presented Castiglione with a proclamation declaring September 29, 2024, as “Joe Castiglione Day” in honor of his legacy. Additionally, Team President Sam Kennedy gifted him with letters displaying “CASTIG” in the colors of Fenway Park’s iconic Green Monster, symbolizing his connection to the historic ballpark.
Alongside members from the 2007 and 2013 championship teams, including Cora and Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, Castiglione ended his farewell broadcast in the tradition he has upheld for many years by reciting a portion of A. Bartlett Giamatti’s poignant piece “The Green Fields of the Mind.” “I did right away, right after the game ended,” he said, indicating his nostalgic farewell to the fans and the game he dearly loves.
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This story has been corrected to clarify that Castiglione received an award from the Hall of Fame but was not inducted.
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