Cohen currently calls Mets games for SNY and WPIX, as well as Seton Hall basketball games on WMCA and WNYM. 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]
Early life and education
Cohen grew up in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens. He developed an early passion for the New York Mets when the team moved to the newly-constructed Shea Stadium in 1964, and became a regular attendee at games. He closely followed the Mets' World Series victoryin 1969 and, as a teenager, attended games on his own during their 1973 pennant run, experiences that cemented his lifelong connection to the team and to the sport of baseball.[1]
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.[4] 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.[4]
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.[6]
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.
"At [stadium name] in [state/city where game is being played] the New York Mets take on the (or the New York Mets play the) [opposing team's name]." – used to introduce the matchup before 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.
"Heeeee 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.
"Forget that, that's way outta here!" – when a player hits a no-doubt home run.
"...and the [team name] are down to their final strike." – counting down from the last out, last strike at the end of the game.
"...and the ball game is OVER!" – said at the end of the game by describing the final play and finishing it.
"[Player Name] takes first pitch (or swings at, or hits) and we're under way" – said on the first pitch or play of the game.
He is also 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, Rose became the Mets' lead radio voice following the retirement of Bob Murphy.
Awards and honors
On June 3, 2023, Cohen was inducted into the New 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]
Personal life
Cohen is Jewish. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Lynn Cohen, and has five children, Jess, Jaclyn, Trevor, Kira and Zach.[9][10]
References
1 2 3 4 5 Hond, Paul (Fall 2017). "Outta Here!". Columbia Magazine. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
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