BOSTON – The Red Sox gave Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Castiglione a fitting farewell Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park before his final game on the radio as the voice of the Boston Red Sox.

Castiglione is retiring after 42 seasons in the Red Sox radio booth, but his voice will forever be associated with some of the most memorable moments in franchise history. Castiglione’s “Can you believe it?” concluded his final call for Boston’s 2004 World Series title, ending an 86-year championship run for the franchise.

This call was played at Fenway Park during Sunday’s pregame ceremony, as was Castiglione’s final call for Boston’s 2007 and 2018 World Series titles. For the 2013 championship, the Red Sox chose to play Castiglione’s call for Shane Victorino’s grand slam in the 2013 championship seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers in Game 6 of the ALCS, giving Boston a series-clinching 5-2 win.

There were 19 former players in attendance at Sunday’s ceremony, including players from each of the four World Series-winning teams and the 1986 squad that made it to the Fall Classic. Among them were Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon, Kevin Youkilis, Rogers Clemens and Jim Rice.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declares Sunday “Joe Castiglione Day”

Sunday is officially “Joe Castiglione Day” in Boston, as explained by Mayor Michelle Wu.

The Red Sox also gave Castiglione the “CASTIG” sign from the Green Monster’s famous scoreboard and made a donation to the Jimmy Fund in his honor.

The home radio broadcast booth at Fenway Park already bears Castiglione’s name, as it was named the “Joe Castiglione Booth” in his honor in 2022.

What Joe Castiglione said before his last game

Before Castiglione took his place in the broadcast booth one last time, he said a few words to the crowd at Fenway Park.

“Can you believe it? “It’s overwhelming,” Castiglione said with a laugh.

After thanking Mayor Wu for the proclamation and the Red Sox for the gifts, he thanked the organization for “letting me do what I love here in Boston for 42 years.”

“On this very weekend in 1983, Carl Yastrzemski stood right here and said goodbye to Red Sox nation. It was the end of my first season on Red Sox radio, and who would have thought that after 42 seasons I would be here to apply. “Hub adieu,” Castiglione said.

“God has granted me so many blessings and the privilege to witness so many moments in Red Sox history, from Morgan Magic in 1988 to the four World Series championships in 15 years – the greatest era in Red Sox history Sox,” Castiglione continued.

He thanked his family for their support and sacrifice over the years and the Red Sox broadcast teams he worked with over the decades. And of course he thanked the Red Sox fans.

“I have been fortunate enough to call Fenway Park my office and home for 42 seasons, and I am grateful to the great fans of Red Sox Nation for their trust and support and for inviting me into your homes, cars and …invited I will miss being your eyes and ears, and after 42 years all I can say is, “Can you believe it?”

Castiglione threw out the first pitch before his final game as host of the Red Sox

He threw to Jackie Bradley Jr. on the first pitch, with Castiglione joking before his throw that he wanted the 2018 Gold Glover behind the plate because “Jackie catches everything.”

While listeners can hear Castiglione’s final call on WEEI, NESN has also announced that it will air Castiglione’s call for the final inning of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.