Gary Cohen (born April 29, 1958) is an American sportscaster, best known as a radio and television play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.
Gary Cohen | |
|---|---|
 Cohen in 2009 | |
| Born | April 29, 1958 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Columbia University, '81 B.S., 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 SportsNet New York and WPIX and Seton Hall basketball games on WNYM. He is known for his baritone voice and his signature calls, most notably "It’s outta here!" for when a player hits a home run.
Career
Cohen graduated with a political science degree in 1981 from Columbia University, where he began his broadcasting career with WKCR Sports. While at Columbia, he announced soccer games with future presidential adviser and Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos.[1]
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).[2] He also called ice hockey and basketball games for Providence College from 1988 to 1989, and football for Brown University in 1987.[2] Along with his work with the Mets, Cohen has also called postseason MLB games for ESPN Radio and CBS Radio.[2]
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.[2] 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.[2]
Cohen has called many notable moments in Mets history, such as Todd Pratt's walk-off home run in Game 4 of the 1999 NLDS that won the Mets the series, Robin Ventura's "grand slam single" in Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS, Benny Agbayani's walk-off home run in Game 3 of the 2000 NLDS, the Mets winning the 2000 NLCS to advance to the World Series, Endy Chavez's home run robbing catch in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, Johan Santana's no-hitter on June 1, 2012, the first in Mets history, Wilmer Flores' walk-off home run against the Washington Nationals on July 31, 2015, the Mets' win against the Cincinnati Reds on September 26, 2015 to clinch the National League East, Bartolo Colón's first Major League Baseball home run on May 7, 2016, at which he became the oldest MLB player in history to hit his first home run, Asdrúbal Cabrera winning an extra inning game for the Mets to keep them in an eventually successful playoff run, and Todd Frazier's ninth inning three run homer to tie the game in a successful ninth inning rally against the Washington Nationals on August 9, 2019.
Radio
Cohen's signature radio phrases, which he has carried over to television, include:
- "And a pleasant good afternoon/evening everybody", used at the start of every game.
- "Back to talk about it in a moment" at the conclusion of each half inning, pitcher change, or other reason for commercial break.
- "Heeee struck him out!" after a meaningful strikeout.
- "[Player name] would be next" when a player is on deck with two outs.
- "The merry-go-round will be in motion" when the bases are loaded, two outs, with a 3–2 count, for the automatic start that the three runners take.
- "[Player name] going back, to the track, at the wall and... It's outta here!" when a player hits a home run.
- "...and the [team name] are down to their final strike." counting down from last out, last strike at the end of the game.
- "...and the ball game is OVER!" for the ending of the game by describing the final play and finishing it.
His trademark opening for 1st pitch thrown is *"[Player Name] takes first pitch (or swings at, or hits) and we're under way" - Starts every game this way.
He is known for his vivid and succinct description of the game action, his smooth baritone voice, corny joking with former broadcast partner Howie Rose, and his sometimes biting, but always well-informed baseball commentary. In 2003, Cohen became the Mets' lead radio voice following the retirement of Bob Murphy.
In October 2006, during the Mets' postseason run, Cohen returned to the WFAN booth with Rose and newcomer Tom McCarthy for a couple of innings each game; he was behind the microphone for Endy Chávez's miraculous catch in Game 7 of the NLCS which the Mets lost.
Edmonds at first and one out, and Pérez deals. Fastball hit in the air to left field, that's deep, back goes Chávez, back near the wall, leaping, and... HE MADE THE CATCH! He took a home run away from Rolen! Trying to get back to first is Edmonds... he's doubled off! And the inning is over! Endy Chávez saves the day! He reached up high over the left field wall, right in front of the visitors bullpen, and pulled back a two run homer! He went to the apex of his leap, and caught it in the webbing of his glove, with his elbow up above the fence. A miraculous play by Endy Chávez, and then Edmonds is doubled off first, and Oliver Perez escapes the 6th inning. The play of the year, the play maybe of the franchise history, for Endy Chávez, the inning is over.
Television
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 on WPIX along with analysts (and former Mets) Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.
On June 1, 2012, Cohen called the first no-hitter in Mets history, thrown by Johan Santana.
He struck him out! It has happened! In their 51st season, Johan Santana has thrown the first no-hitter in New York Mets history!
On July 31, 2015, two days after shortstop Wilmer Flores was nearly traded to the Brewers for Carlos Gómez, Flores hit a dramatic walk-off home run in the 12th inning against the first place Nationals.
Flores drives it, deep left center field. Taylor back, near the wall, ITS OUTTA HERE! FLORES ENDS IT WITH A HOME RUN!
That game, and home run, were both widely considered to be the turning point of the 2015 season for the Mets as they went on to win their first National League East title since 2006. The Nationals, meanwhile, collapsed and finished in second place, 7 games behind New York.
On September 26, 2015, Cohen called the Mets' 10–2 win against the Cincinnati Reds where the Mets clinched the National League East for the first time since 2006.
He struck him out! Tears of joy for the 2015 New York Mets! National League Eastern Division Champions!
On May 7, 2016, Cohen called Bartolo Colón's first Major League home run to become the oldest player in MLB history to hit his first Major League home run.
He drives one, deep left field, back goes Upton, back near the wall, ITS OUTTA HERE! Bartolo has done it! The impossible has happened!
Colón's previous at-bats with the Mets were extremely entertaining for the fans and announcers alike. He would regularly receive standing ovations from the fans in attendance when his name was announced to bat over the loud speaker. Whenever he swung the bat, he would swing with such force that his batting helmet would often fly off in the process. Finally, 17 days before his 43rd birthday, he hit his 1st Major League home run.
Personal life
He is married to Lynn Cohen, and lives in Connecticut. He has five children.[3]
References
- ^ Koblin, John (July 15, 2009). "The Anti-Homers". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved 2011-11-27.
- ^ a b c d e "Gary Cohen". newyork.mets.mlb.com. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ^ "SNY.tv: sny_announcers: Mets On-Air Talent". Retrieved 2016-05-14.
