NEW YORK -- Joe Castiglione -- who received the ultimate reward for his four-plus decades of broadcasting Red Sox games on the radio when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the Ford C. Frick Award winner in July -- announced on Sunday that he is retiring at the end of the season.

Castiglione made the news public on the team’s radio broadcast after the third inning of Sunday’s Red Sox-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium and also discussed his decision with NESN viewers in the top of the fourth.

The Red Sox announced in a press release they are keeping Castiglione on as an ambassador. Castiglione hinted that he might fill in for a select game or two in future seasons.

“I think it’s time,” Castiglione said. “Time to give more time at home. I think it’s time to spend more time with my bride of 53 years, Jan. And my grandkids would like to see me at more of their games.”

In Castiglione’s estimation, he has called more than 6,500 Red Sox games.

“Joe is one of the greatest in baseball broadcasting,” said Red Sox owner John Henry in a statement. “His recognition by the Hall of Fame in July punctuated a career of vivid storytelling that has brought the game to life for generations of listeners. His brilliance in the booth is matched only by his exceptional character. Though his role has placed him squarely in the spotlight, he has always let the action on the field take center stage, a trait he has shown even behind the mic with an uncanny ability to put others first.”

Part of the soundtrack of New England baseball summers since he joined Boston’s radio booth in 1983 -- Carl Yastrzemski’s last Major League season -- Castiglione has been behind the mic for some of the most memorable moments involving some of the finest players in Red Sox history.

For Castiglione, no moment tops calling the final out of the 2004 World Seris, when the Red Sox won it all for the first time in 86 years.

This was Castiglione’s call at Busch Stadium when Boston swept the St. Louis Cardinals:

“Swing and a ground ball, stabbed by Foulke! He has it. He underhands to first and the Boston Red Sox are the world champions for the first time in 86 years. The Red Sox have won baseball’s world championship. Can you believe it?”

Each year, the Ford C. Frick Award winner -- given in recognition of a broadcaster for career excellence -- is celebrated in a ceremony during Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y.

It was last December when Castiglione learned he would be the 2024 recipient after coming up short three previous times as a finalist on the ballot. It was the crowning moment of his career.

“It was really a ‘Can you believe it?’ moment,” Castiglione said in a conference call the day he learned of his election. “You never dream of these things when you're starting. My first goal was to do Major League Baseball. My second was to do a World Series, then to win a World Series, but this was nothing that was on my radar ever, and it’s just such a thrill to be honored by my peers.”

“Can you believe it?” has been Castiglione’s signature expression for nearly all of Boston’s golden moments in the 21st century, which also includes World Series titles in 2007, ‘13 and ‘18.

His passion was evident when he literally fell out of his chair in the broadcast booth while describing Andrew Benintendi’s game-ending, game-saving catch against Alex Bregman in Game 4 of the 2018 American League Championship Series.

Castiglione’s 42 seasons calling Red Sox games is a club record. He broke in with the legendary Ken Coleman, whom he worked with for his first seven years in the booth. Castiglione also partnered with Bob Starr, Jerry Trupiano, Dave O’Brien, Will Flemming, Sean McDonough and Lou Merloni, among others. He has enjoyed a strong relationship with all of his partners, mainly due to his ego-less approach.

Red Sox legends Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez are among the former players who make it a point to visit him in the booth when they come to Fenway.

Throughout his time in the booth, Castiglione has been known for his genuineness. Listeners would often say they’d know if the Red Sox were winning or losing just by Castiglione’s tone on the broadcast.

“Swing and a popup,” Castiglione would say with resignation.

He would instantly perk up when a big moment happened, his voice reaching a higher pitch. “There’s a drive to left field, deep! It is gone, a home run!”

Castiglione’s recall of moments from years prior is legendary.

Long before every stat could be tracked on the internet -- because there was no internet -- Castiglione kept copious notes.

For instance, he could tell you that Wade Boggs popped up to the infield only twice in the entire 1985 season. Castiglione would track how many times each Red Sox hitter hit the ball off the Green Monster -- or as he called it, the Wall -- each season.

The 2025 season will certainly sound different on Red Sox radio without the familiar voice of Castiglione.