Gary Cohen (born April 29, 1958)[1][2] is an American sportscaster, best known as a radio and television play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. He is widely considered one of the greatest baseball announcers of all time.
Gary Cohen | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Cohen during an SNY broadcast in 2022 | |
| Born | April 29, 1958 New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Columbia University, '81 B.A., Political Science |
| Occupation | New York Mets play-by-play announcer |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | Lynn Cohen |
| Children | 5 |
Cohen currently calls Mets broadcasts for SNY and WPIX and Seton Hall basketball games on WMCA and WNYM.
Career
edit
Cohen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Columbia University in 1981. He began his broadcasting career with WKCR Sports where he did play-by-play for baseball, football and men's basketball.[3] He also announced men's soccer games with future presidential adviser and Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos.[4]
Prior to joining the Mets' broadcast team in 1989, Cohen worked as the voice of the minor league Spartanburg Spinners (1983–1984), Durham Bulls (1986), and Pawtucket Red Sox (1987–1988).[5] He also called ice hockey and basketball games for Providence College from 1988 to 1989, and football for Brown University in 1987.[5] Along with his work with the Mets, Cohen has also called postseason MLB games for ESPN Radio and CBS Radio.[5]
In addition to his baseball duties, Cohen has called men's college basketball games for many years, starting with his duties with St. John's on WFAN, for which he broadcast from 1995 to 2002.[5] Following WFAN's loss of the radio rights to St. John's games, Cohen began broadcasting Seton Hall games, which he continues to do to this day. He also served as a backup announcer on New York Rangers radio broadcasts, called Olympic hockey at the 1992, 1994, and 1998 Winter Olympics, and NCAA tournament games for Westwood One on multiple occasions.[5]
In September 2022, Cohen pre-recorded announcements along MTA New York City Transit's 7 line, along with Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling.[6]
Television
editIt 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 on WPIX along with analysts (and former Mets) Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.[7]
Awards and honors
editOn June 3, 2023, Cohen was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.[8] In May 2024, Cohen received an honorary doctoral degree from Seton Hall, during a graduation ceremony where he also delivered a commencement speech.[9]
Personal life
editHe is married to Lynn Cohen and lives in Connecticut. He has five children.[10]
References
edit- ^ Hond, Paul (Fall 2017). "Outta Here!". Columbia Magazine.
- ^ New York Mets [@Mets] (April 29, 2014). "Happy birthday, Gary Cohen!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Hond, Paul. "Outta Here!" Columbia (Columbia University alumni magazine), Fall 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ Koblin, John (July 15, 2009). "The Anti-Homers". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Gary Cohen". newyork.mets.mlb.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
- ^ Kaye, Jacob (September 15, 2022). "Mets broadcasters lend charm and calm to 7 train". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ Young, Dennis (June 19, 2021). "Francisco Lindor explodes for best game with Mets, who split twin bill vs. Nats". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ Mastracco, Abbey (June 3, 2023). "Fellow broadcasters weigh in on what makes Howie Rose and Gary Cohen great". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ Carino, Jerry (May 20, 2024). "Gary Cohen up for 'pretty daunting' task: Seton Hall commencement speech". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "SNY.tv: sny_announcers: Mets On-Air Talent". Retrieved May 14, 2016.
