There has been a lot of change in the air for New York City’s sports franchises, with legendary names who called the action stepping down from their posts in recent years. John Sterling’s last season with the New York Yankees happened last year, and this year Sam Rosen has announced he will be stepping down from his call of the New York Rangers.
Given all the changes that have happened over the past couple of years, WFAN’s Gregg Giannotti shared his list of the five greatest New York sports play-by-play announcers of all time on today’s Boomer And Gio program.
“I was lucky enough to share a moment with this man in Green Bay with Boomer Esiason, and that is none other than Marv Albert,” explained Giannotti of his top selection. “I don’t know how that doesn’t make everybody’s list, but Marv is number one for obvious reasons.”
Albert called games for the New York Knicks from 1967 to 2004, while also lending his talents to the NBA on NBC and TNT Sports. Moreover, he was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2015 for his work both in the NBA, NCAA Basketball, and NFL Football.
Meanwhile, the rest of Giannotti’s top five began with Rosen landing at his number five slot, as Rosen concludes his final year on the call on MSG Networks.
“Number five, Sam Rosen,” said Giannotti. “I’m not a Rangers fan, but when he’s gone and someone else is going to be doing these games full time, it’s not going to sound right. Just his voice and the power play goal and everything, he’s got to be there.”
Next on the list, John Sterling landed at number four after calling New York Yankees baseball on the radio from 1989 to 2024, including an impressive 5,060 consecutive games from 1989 to 2019. Giannotti then pivoted to the current voice of the New York Knicks, Mike Breen, who he placed at number three.
“I love him calling a basketball game, calling Knicks games,” noted Giannotti. “He’s one of the best in the business, because he’s doing the NBA Finals. Just so smooth, so good. Just can’t say enough good things about Mike Breen.”
Coming in just behind Albert, Giannotti ranked New York Mets radio announcer Howie Rose at number two. In addition to his baseball work, Rose previously called games on the radio for the New York Rangers and Islanders as well. Furthermore, he served as WFAN’s original prime time host when the station switched to an all-sports format in 1987.
“Baseball on the radio is one of those things, you have to be the most skillful play-by-play guy to be able to do baseball on the radio,” said Giannotti. “Howie’s doing it, and his calls last year were tremendous during the playoffs.”
Ultimately, Giannotti said that the New York City market has had the blessing of so many great play-by-play voices that, with Rosen’s upcoming retirement, it made sense to look back and share who were the best of the best.
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