From the “double outta here” to “put it in the books,” Gary Cohen and Howie Rose have made quite a name for themselves as the Voice of the New York Mets. Here are their best calls of the past two decades.
By Jeremy Fialkow
I’m not talking about any duo of stud pitchers from the New York Mets. I’m not talking about Carmelo Anthony, or the Lopez twins. I’m definitely not talking about Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira.
I’m talking about Gary Cohen and Howie Rose.
The two, hailing as voices of the Mets on Sportnet New York and WOR, respectively, have given their talents to broadcasting.
Both are the radio and television play-by-play announcers for this beloved Metropolitan team.
And, they’ve done a helluva job.
Here are their best calls in the past 20 years:
5. Cohen and Rose call Johan Santana‘s no-hitter
Rose’s call definitely edges Cohen’s here, but, both were critical, nevertheless.
This was history.
History that hadn’t been accomplished in the 50-year history of New York Mets Baseball.
On June 1st, 2012, Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in Mets’ history. It only took him 133 pitches to do so. (Sigh.)
Santana’s feat brought joy to thousands upon thousands of fans, even if it did lead to the overuse of his talented, but ailing, arm.
To throw the no-hitter against the Cardinals was even more special. Not to mention, this St. Louis team had Carlos Beltran on it, who nearly ruined the special day in one swing.
Beltran batted a ball was grazed the white third base line, probably should have been called fair, but wasn’t.
That, my friends, is destiny,
4. Cohen calls Endy Chavez‘s NLCS Miracle Catch
Oh, she’s a beauty.
While everyone chooses to remember the outcome of this game – strike three looking from Adam Wainwright to Carlos Beltran – I’ll choose to remember the miraculous season-saving catch from Endy Chavez.
Cohen said it himself, it could be the greatest catch in Mets franchise history.
It truly was, the greatest play that didn’t matter. Had New York gone on to win the game, Endy would be immortalized in Mets fame forever and ever. Poor, Endy.
In a Mets-Cardinals NLCS that showed the grit and guts of both teams, it all landed on a final win-or-go-home Game 7.
In the 6th innings, Chavez made a leap at the left field wall at Shea Stadium, caught a would-be Scott Rolen homer, then turned an inning-ending double play to leave the score at a 1-1 tie.
3. Rose and Cohen call Wilmer Flores‘ Walk-Off after Tears
How can you not love this?
Not only did it happen just last season, but also it represents the turning point of a mediocre Mets team to an Amazin’ Mets team.
Just days before, in a series against the Padres, Wilmer Flores found out in-game he was traded to Milwaukee…ouch.
It hurt even more when the trade fell through and Wilmer became a folk hero for this pennant-winning team.
Not until this moment. Opening up a massive three-game series with the Washington Nationals, behind by three games in the standings, Flores took a ball deep to left field in the bottom of the 12th to prove miracles really do happen.
The Mets won the game, they delivered a series sweep, and went on to win their first National League East division title since 2009.
Listen to both Rose and Cohen’s calls here.
2. Rose calls Mike Piazza‘s game-winning homer after 9/11
Of course, this is a special one.
Not necessarily the greatest call, but certainly the most important of Rose’s career.
This was four years prior to the creation of SNY, so here’s Cohen’s radio call.
Anyway, after the events of September 11th, 2001, the town of New York City was scared and devastated.
On September 21st, in the first post 9/11 baseball game played in New York, Mets star catcher Piazza provided some major healing, and showed the city’s resilience, in hitting a game-winning home run at an emotional night at Shea Stadium.
Watch for yourself.
1. Cohen’s “double outta here” on Beltran Walk-Off
On August 23rd 2006, The Mets were in the middle of a dominant season.
Down 7-1 against the team they would meet, and lose heartbreakingly to, in the 2006 NLCS, New York began to turn up the heat.
Still, that year brought this great call in SNY history.
After embarking on a major comeback, Carlos Beltran smacks a two-run dinger, his 36th of an MVP worthy season, to right and that was that.
The Mets beat the Cardinals 8-7.
You’d be lying if Cohen’s call didn’t give you the chills each and every time listening.
After the game, Beltran said:
“this is a potential playoff atmosphere”
Well, he wouldn’t be wrong.