Joe Castiglione Named MBA Broadcaster of the Year

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, November 21, 2024

Joe Castiglione

The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association (MBA) honored Joe Castiglione, the legendary voice of the Boston Red Sox, with the Broadcaster of the Year Award at its annual Sound Bites conference held November 21 at the Sheraton Framingham in Framingham, MA. Castiglione, who retired following the 2024 Red Sox season, capped a remarkable 42-year tenure in the Red Sox radio booth, the longest in team history.

A native of Hamden, CT, Castiglione began his broadcasting career calling Colgate University football and baseball games while earning his bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. He later graduated from Syracuse University's prestigious Newhouse School with a master's degree in Radio and Television. His professional journey took him to Youngstown, Ohio, as a sports reporter and football announcer, and then to Cleveland in 1979, where he covered the Indians and Cavaliers.

In 1983, Castiglione joined the Red Sox booth, forming a memorable partnership with Ken Coleman. Over four decades, he became synonymous with Red Sox baseball, narrating both the team's struggles and triumphs. His most memorable moment came during the 2004 World Series when he called the Sox's historic victory, ending an 86-year championship drought, with the now-famous line: "For the first time in 86 years, the Red Sox have won baseball's world championship. Can you believe it?"

Castiglione's contributions to broadcasting have earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Red Sox Hall of Fame (2014), the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame (2015), and the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.

At the MBA event, Castiglione was introduced by Audacy Boston Senior Vice President and Market Manager Mike Thomas. He was joined by his wife, Jan, daughter Kate Romano, son Duke Castiglione, a WCVB-TV sports reporter, and granddaughters Anna Castiglione and Tilla Romano.