Gary Cohen | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Cohen during anSNY broadcast in 2022 | |
| Born | (1958-04-29)April 29, 1958 (age 67) Queens,New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Columbia University, '81 B.A.,Political Science |
| Occupations | Play-by-play and broadcast announcer for theNew York Mets |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | Lynn Cohen (m. 2002) |
| Children | 5 |
Gary Cohen (born April 29, 1958)[1][2] is an Americansportscaster, best known as aradio andtelevision play-by-play announcer for theNew York Mets ofMajor League Baseball (MLB).
Cohen currently calls Mets games forSNY andWPIX, as well asSeton Hall basketball games onWMCA andWNYM. He is famous for his baritone voice and signature calls, most notably "It's outta here!" for when a player hits a home run.[1]
Cohen grew up in theKew Gardens neighborhood ofQueens. He developed an early passion for the New York Mets when the team moved to the newly-constructedShea Stadium in 1964, and became a regular attendee at games. He closely followed theMets' World Series victory in 1969 and, as a teenager, attended games on his own during their1973 pennant run, experiences that cemented his lifelong connection to the team and to the sport of baseball.[1]
Cohen first developed an interest in sports broadcasting while listening to Mets radio announcerBob Murphy, and came to idolizeMarv Albert for his work with theNew York Knicks andNew York Rangers.[1]
Cohen graduated with aBachelor of Arts inPolitical Science fromColumbia University in 1981. He began his broadcasting career withWKCR Sports where he did play-by-play forbaseball,football andmen's basketball.[1] He also announcedmen's soccer games with future presidential adviser andGood Morning America hostGeorge Stephanopoulos.[3]
Prior to joining the Mets' broadcast team in 1989, Cohen worked as the voice of the minor leagueSpartanburg Spinners (1983–1984),Durham Bulls (1986), andPawtucket Red Sox (1987–1988).[4] He also calledice hockey andbasketball games forProvidence College from 1988 to 1989, andfootball forBrown University in 1987.[4] Along with his work with the Mets, Cohen has also called postseason MLB games forESPN Radio andCBS Radio.[4]
In addition to his baseball duties, Cohen has called men'scollege basketball games for many years, starting with his duties withSt. John's on WFAN, for which he broadcast from 1995 to 2002.[4] Following WFAN's loss of the radio rights to St. John's games, Cohen began broadcastingSeton Hall games, which he continues to do to this day. He also served as a backup announcer onNew York Rangers radio broadcasts, calledOlympic hockey at the1992,1994, and1998 Winter Olympics, andNCAA tournament games forWestwood One on multiple occasions.[4]
In September 2022, Cohen pre-recorded announcements for theMTANew York City Subway7 line, along withKeith Hernandez andRon Darling.[5]
It was announced on November 9, 2005, that Cohen would become the play-by-play announcer for the new Mets cable television network,SportsNet New York (SNY). As part of the agreement, Cohen also calls about 25 Mets games per year onWPIX along with analysts and former MetsRon Darling andKeith Hernandez.[6]
Cohen's signature radio phrases, which he has carried over to television, include:
He is also known for his vivid and succinct description of the game action, his smooth baritone voice, corny joking with former broadcast partnerHowie Rose, and his sometimes biting, but always well-informed baseball commentary. In 2003, Rose became the Mets' lead radio voice following the retirement ofBob Murphy.
On June 3, 2023, Cohen was inducted into theNew York Mets Hall of Fame.[7] In May 2024, Cohen received an honorary doctoral degree from Seton Hall, during a graduation ceremony where he also delivered a commencement speech.[8]
Cohen is Jewish. He lives inConnecticut with his wife, Lynn Cohen, and has five children.[9]
Yahoo News. (n.d.). Chicago Cubs announcer Gary Cohen [Video]. Yahoo. Retrieved fromhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/chicago-cubs-announcer-gary-cohen-102903304.html
