Red Sox

Castiglione pitched in the finale for three of the Red Sox’ last four World Series victories, along with several other memorable moments.

Joe Castiglione’s legendary tenure as one of the Red Sox’ radio announcers comes to an end on Sunday.

The legendary radio announcer will call his final game when the Red Sox close out the 2024 season against the Rays. Castiglione announced in early September that he was retiring from his role as the Red Sox’ radio announcer after 42 seasons.

As the Red Sox honor their longest-serving announcer before Sunday’s game, we remember some of Castiglione’s most memorable calls: “Can you believe it?” to some of his funniest moments in the booth.

Dave Roberts’ steal and Bill Mueller’s game-winning hit in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS

Arguably the most pivotal sequence in Red Sox history was initiated by Castiglione. You probably know the story by now, but in case you need a refresher: Roberts walked for Kevin Millar after a leadoff walk in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.

After a run, Roberts went for second with Mueller at the plate and Yankees closer Mariano Rivera on the mound.

After a few attempts to take off and Castiglione reciting Roberts’ stolen base stats, the speedster finally took off.

“Rivera to the set, he goes, the pitch is made outside. Here’s the throw. Roberts dives and he’s safe! Stolen base, Dave Roberts,” Castiglione said in his recent call. “Tying run on second base. He went in with a hand tag. Jeter took the throw and it was close, very close at second.

Two throws later, Mueller beat Roberts and tied the game at 4-4.

“Roberts leads, the 1-1 pitch. It won’t be colorful. “He swings and takes one through the middle to center field, a base hit,” said Castiglione, describing the moment. “Roberts hits third, here he comes! Bernie Williams’ throw is deflected and the game is a draw! Rivera deflected the throw and Bill Mueller tied it with a single up the middle. We’re at the end at 4! Rivera blew a save and the Red Sox have life.”

Johnny Damon’s grand slam and the finale in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS

David Ortiz gave the Red Sox an early 2-0 lead in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees with a two-run home run. But Damon tied the game in the second inning after Javier Vazquez took over with the bases loaded.

“Johnny vs. Vazquez, 2 for 14 this year – both homers. Bases loaded, 2-0 Boston. Kevin Millar in third place, Bill Mueller in second place, Orlando Cabrera in first place. Vazquez to set, here’s the pitch: swing and a high drive to deep right! Back to the corner, Sheffield looks up – Grand Slam! Johnny Damon! With one swing of the bat, the Red Sox scored four more runs. They lead 6-0! “Johnny Damon hits the first pitch that Javier Vazquez brings to the right field,” said Castiglione, describing the moment.

Castiglione was also there when Ruben Sierra was eliminated in the series finale by Pokey Reese.

“The 1-0 pitch, the swing and a ground ball to second base. Pokey Reese has it in his hands, he throws to first and the Red Sox have won the American League pennant! They ambush Alan Embree on the hill. The Boston Red Sox have achieved the biggest victory in team history! In the 104 years of the Boston Red Sox, this is the most important of all, because the Red Sox won the pennant and beat the Yankees, their arch-rival, in seven games. They lost the first three games of the series and became the first team ever to win the next four and the championship,” Castiglione said in his announcement of the 2004 ALCS finals.

“Move over, baby!” The Red Sox are American League champions! They’re on the field, shouting at each other on the pitcher’s mound as the Yankees slowly walk toward the clubhouse. An amazing comeback story here in the Bronx.”

The 2018 World Series Finals

In three of the Red Sox’s four World Series victories since 2004, Castiglione won the finale. In their last win over the Dodgers in 2018, he was on the microphone when Chris Sale struck out Manny Machado.

“Machado turns the bat, nobody on base, two-man out, bottom of the ninth, 5-1 Red Sox,” Castiglione began. “Sale winds, he fires, swing-and-a-miss! Strike three! It’s over! The Red Sox won the World Championship! The Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1! They win the World Series four games to one. The Red Sox are the first team in the 21st century to win four World Championships. Can you believe that?

“They sprinted out of the bullpens. They sprinted from the dugout. They pressure each other between third base and home plate. The Boston Red Sox are the 2018 champions. They win their 119th game this season. Can you believe it?”

The 2007 ALCS finals

Castiglione also started three of the Red Sox’s pennant victories since 2004. He won the 2007 ALCS final when Boston outfielder Coco Crisp made a messy catch to help defeat Cleveland.

“Swing and a high ball into the right midfield. Coco goes back, still goes back, to the triangle, goes back, he makes a great catch in the triangle! He falls down, hangs on, and the Red Sox win the pennant! Coco Crisp, with another sensational play in the triangle – grabbed it over his shoulder, slammed it into the wall and held it!”

The 2007 World Series finale

A week after Castiglione announced the Red Sox’s ALCS win over Cleveland, he chose the World Series finale against the Rockies.

“Papelbon gives the pitch on the belt: swing-and-a-miss! It’s over! The Red Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies! The Red Sox are the 2007 Baseball World Champions! The Boston Red Sox are the first team in the 21st century to win two World Series titles! Can you believe it?”

Andrew Benintendi’s catch won Game 4 of the 2018 ALCS

Benintendi made perhaps the greatest defensive play in franchise history in Game 4 of the 2018 ALCS. With the Red Sox leading 8-6, the Astros loaded the bases in the ninth inning and threatened to tie or win the game.

With two outs, Craig Kimbrel got Alex Bregman to move to left and Benintendi made a memorable jumping grab.

“Kimbrel comes to set, takes a step to the right, the pitch: swing and a line drive to left field, Benintendi comes, dives, and did he make the catch? He did it! He got it!”

The catch was so spectacular that Castiglione fell out of his seat after saying, “He did it!”

“I just sat head over heels in my chair. Oh, wow! What a catch from Andrew Benintendi!”

The catch gave the Red Sox a 3-1 series lead before they won the series in five games. It also gave Castiglione a humorous moment.

David Ortiz’s 500. Home run

There were several memorable postseason moments that Castiglione mentioned in his regular season time. Arguably the greatest individual milestone he reached was when Ortiz hit his 500th career home run on September 12, 2015 in Tampa Bay.

“Moore gets the sign, the windup, the 2-2: swing and there’s a drive to right field, deep, way back it goes, No. 500 David Ortiz! He manages to get a shot into the right field stands! A scramble for the ball, No. 500. The Red Sox come out of the dugout en masse, applauding Ortiz as he touches third and shaking Brian Buttefield’s hand. Trots up to the plate, stands at home plate, points to the sky in honor of his mother, and the Red Sox all come out of the bullpen as they form a line to greet and congratulate Big Papi on his 500th home run .”

Not you, Siri!

Sometimes technology is not good to you. Castiglione found that out the hard way when he called a Red Sox game against the Rays in 2023. When Rays outfielder Jose Siri came to the plate, his iPhone perked up as he announced the batter’s name.

“So first and second, still only one out, for Jose Siri,” Castiglione began, before Siri could be heard saying something to him on his iPhone.

Castiglione and his broadcast partner for that game, Will Flemming, were initially unsure where the sound was coming from. However, the veteran announcer figured out what happened moments later.

“It was Siri! It was Siri,” Castiglione said with a laugh. “It came through on the iPhone. Siri is at the table. I’m not asking you, Siri. Not that Siri, that Siri.”