Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed his admiration, saying, “For him to be part of our family is amazing. For him to spend more time with his family is great.” Cora added that Castiglione’s impact on the organization and its fans is deeply felt.
Castiglione will continue with the team in an honorary ambassador role, and the Red Sox plan to honor him before their regular-season finale on September 29 against Tampa Bay.
Joining Boston’s broadcast crew in 1983, Castiglione is the longest-tenured play-by-play announcer in team history. He witnessed the Red Sox’s historic 2004 World Series win, ending an 86-year championship drought, and called three more championships in 2007, 2013, and 2018.
Castiglione was honored with the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence last July and was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014. The home radio booth at Fenway Park was named the Joe Castiglione Booth in 2022.
In a statement, Castiglione said, “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. While I feel I am at the pinnacle of my career, it’s time to spend more time with Jan, my bride of almost 53 years, my kids, and grandkids.”
Castiglione began his career at WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, Ohio, and went on to call games for Cleveland and Milwaukee. He also broadcast for the Cleveland Cavaliers and college basketball on NESN.
Red Sox principal owner John Henry praised Castiglione, saying, “Joe is one of the greatest in baseball broadcasting. 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.”
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