A fixture of New York Mets baseball will be calling it a career after the 2026 season.Mets’ radio play-by-play announcer Howie Rose announced on Thursday that he will retire following the end of the year.Rose will be hanging up his microphone at the conclusion of the 2026 seasonGettyRose is set to work only Mets’ home games in 2026, and the Subway Series at Yankee StadiumIt’s an emotional moment for fans who have gotten used to hearing Howie’s voice on the radio over the past 30 years, and the legendary voice of the Mets didn’t come to this conclusion with ease.“Trust me, I did not arrive at this decision to retire easily,” Rose announced on X.“I have been going back and forth in my mind about it for the last few years.“But the simple reality is that I am 72-years-old and my wife Barbara, who has sacrificed so much for so long, deserves to have her husband around a little more often – whether she likes it or not.”Rose began his Mets career in 1987, covering the club as a pregame and postgame host on WFAN.He would go on to serve as the lead play-by-play announcer for the team on television, starting in 1996 and would remain in that position until 2006, following Gary Cohen’s move to the SNY booth.Rose significantly cut back his schedule over the past couple of seasons, after a bout with bladder cancer during the 2021 season.His iconic end of the game catchphrase ‘Put it in the books’ will be sorely missed by fans, but just because he is retiring, doesn’t mean he won’t be involved with the franchise in the future.Rose has hosted a number of retirement ceremonies for the Mets, including Mike Piazza, Keith Hernandez and most recently, David Wright.Rose has been broadcasting in multiple capacities for the Mets since 1987GettyRose will continue to serve as the master of ceremonies for the MetsYouTube / New York Mets“Hopefully, I will be involved now and then in some still-to-be-determined capacity because for me, letting go of the Mets isn’t hard – it’s impossible,” Rose added.“I’m not planning on taking a clean break… and one of the biggest reasons for that bond that we have created with each other through all these years.“The warmth, acceptance and, yes, love that you have shown me in so many ways for so long makes this all the more difficult, and I return those feelings in kind.”Mets owner issues statement on Rose retirementIt’s going to be a move that will take some getting used to for Mets fans, and even ownership.In the wake of the retirement, Mets owners Steve & Alex Cohen issued an emotional statement.“His passion for the Mets has carried across the airwaves and into the homes and hearts of fans everywhere,” Steve & Alex Cohen wrote. Mets owner Steve Cohen paid tribute to Rose following the announcementGetty“Generations of Mets fans have grown up listening to Howie call the game with authenticity, energy and a deep appreciation for what this team means to our community.“We are grateful for the relationship we have built with Howie, and for the dedication he has shown to the organization and our fans since 1987.”Rose will have a final go-around of calling Mets games this year, and retire from what has been a truly legendary career.There would be no better way to send him off than with a World Series win, on the 40th anniversary of their last title.Stay up to date with the latest from the MLB across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.