Castiglione's unforgettable tenure celebrated by Red Sox greats

BOSTON -- Joe Castiglione -- wearing a white Red Sox jersey with No. 42 on the back to represent his unprecedented run in Boston’s broadcast booth -- was feted before Sunday’s season finale against the Rays, with a classy ceremony that befitted his time as the radio voice of the Red Sox.

Moments after the ceremony was complete, Castiglione went upstairs to call the game, which ended an era of more than four decades in which he was part of the soundtrack of New England springs and summers -- and in the best of times, the first full calendar month of fall.

In a unique twist, the top of the ninth inning of Boston’s 3-1 win over the Rays in the season finale was simulcast on radio and television, giving Castiglione the chance to call the final out for viewers and listeners.

“I was sort of numb,” Castiglione said. “It sort of felt like the ninth inning in St. Louis in ’04. I was in a zone with no distractions and then he kept fouling off pitch after pitch when we were hoping it would end. Nostalgia, I think. Sadness. Watching my broadcast partners get emotional, Will [Flemming] and Sean [McDonough], great friends. It hasn’t really set in. It probably won’t until next spring.”

Fortunately for Red Sox Nation, Castiglione is merely shifting duties, but he's not really going anywhere. He will stay on as an ambassador at team functions in Fort Myers, Fla., and Boston, sit in the Legends Suite during select Red Sox games and even call a game here or there when a pinch-hitter is needed in the booth.

During the game, Castiglione got a surprise, as Red Sox manager Alex Cora instructed his players to stand in front of the dugout and tip their cap to the broadcaster just prior to the eighth inning. At the same time, he was shown on the video board and the crowd erupted.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu started the ceremony with a proclamation that designated Sunday as “Joe Castiglione Day.”

The Red Sox presented Castiglione with a placard from the Green Monster scoreboard that read “CASTIG” and two Fenway Park grandstand seats.

Many former Red Sox players who are considered Castiglione’s favorites put their uniform back on and were on the field for the ceremony.

The roster included Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Jim Rice, Red Sox Hall of Famers Roger Clemens, Dwight Evans, Kevin Youkilis, Rich Gedman, Trot Nixon and Bob Stanley, as well as Joe Morgan, Jackie Bradley Jr., Keith Foulke, Brian Daubach, Lou Merloni, Lenny DiNardo, Rich Hill and Bob Montgomery.

“I’m not used to being the focus,” Castiglione said. “We’re the reporters and not the subject, but I did keep it together for the most part. I had some moments, especially when Alex brought the players out [after the] seventh inning and when I saw the players come back, so many from long distances, just dating back to my first Red Sox team in 1983, right up until Rich Hill, who was the most recent this season. That was really special.”

What compelled so many of those players to get on a plane and travel thousands of miles to honor Castiglione?

“Just respect. It's just respect and love for Joe, someone so professional,” said Martinez. “I'm so glad I can call myself Joe's friend, because that's the kind of attitude you want to have, and especially if you're going to do it for so long, 42 long years.”

Castiglione didn’t differentiate between the Hall of Famers like Martinez or the solid players like Nixon or utility players like Merloni. He befriended all of them and earned their trust.

“He made me be bigger than life on radio for fans for a lot of years,” said Nixon. “Never can and never will forget the voice.”

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner and president/CEO Sam Kennedy were also on the field. Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow represented this year’s team.

“The guy -- for everybody in the organization, outside the organization, Red Sox Nation and baseball in general -- he’s a very respected man,” said Cora. “Ozzie [Guillen] said it best, ‘You sign that contract to get fired.’ But Joe is moving on from us, which is kind of like the perfect ending.”

Castiglione threw the ceremonial first pitch to Bradley, who somehow only won one Rawlings Gold Glove Award, during the World Series championship season of 2018.

Bradley came through, of course.

“It was special,” said Bradley. “Obviously we all care a lot for Joe. I’ve always had a pretty close relationship with Joe. I had to be here. ”

Earlier this year, Castiglione earned the ultimate recognition for a baseball broadcaster, when he received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“For Joe to do it out of love and passion, everything we do, every trophy and plaque is going to fall short of what he deserves,” said Martinez. “People like that, you don't find workers like that so dedicated and loving every bit of it. If he chooses to go now, we have to let him go. He has that right -- he earned it.”