Celebrating 40 Years: Rangers’ Tribute to Commentator Sam Rosen
In a celebratory event prior to their victory against the Canucks with a 5-3 win, the Rangers honored Sam Rosen for his 40 legendary years as a commentator for the team at Madison Square Garden. As Rosen is planning his retirement post this season, he accompanied by his wife, Jill, stood with pride amid the enthusiastic cheers from their spectators. Joining him was his present commentator companion, Joe Micheletti, who expressed warm sentiments and extended a custom jersey with No. 40 on it, carrying signatures of all team members.
It was an affair that saw the gathering of former teammates who had at one time shared the commentator booth with Rosen – Phil Esposito and John Davidson were among them. In a gesture of tribute, they presented Rosen a golden microphone. This ceremonial commemoration was just a segment of the larger ‘Sam Rosen Farewell Tour’ that has been receiving accolades transversely across the NHL landscape during this season.
It’s a point of suspense as to whether this farewell leg will end before the playoffs if the Rangers’ quest for victory comes to a halt. Yet, the ever hopeful 77-year-old Rosen holds on to the optimism tightly. ‘I’m ardently motivating the team to make to the playoffs with me,’ Rosen expressed his intent one game prior. He regularly visits the practice sessions to encourage the players doing their drills exclaiming, ‘Come on comrades! You all can pull it off!’ Though he may not be the voice right now that can steer their will, but he envisions a turnaround in the weeks to come.
Last year’s May marked a turning point in Rosen’s life when he fell ill and had to refrain from a few playoff games of the Rangers. His sickness brought retirement into his consideration more seriously. That was the phase when he held elaborate discussions with his spouse and relatives. Rosen’s had always voiced his intent that should there be any decline in his performance, he would want to be made aware of it.
The goal for Rosen was to retire while still being able to maintain a high standard of performance. He wanted his swan song to leave an unfilled vacuum among his fans. Being a sports enthusiast growing up in Brooklyn, Rosen was genuinely moved by the recognition at the Garden. He confessed, ‘I’m pretty anxious about being in the limelight in this edifice, a place to which I’ve been a regular visitor since its inauguration in 1968 with our broadcast station set up right in the gondola.’,
‘I’ve experienced the throngs of spectators. I’ve sensed the excitement of the edifice. I recollect attending a concert by Billy Joel on a New Year’s Eve, and I mentioned to my spouse then that if the Rangers ever win the Cup, it’s going to be an exact replica of this exciting scene — most likely even surpassing this fervency. And indeed, in 1994 it turned out to be the most fantastic moment.’,
To get the opportunity to commentate the seventh game in your resident edifice, particularly for a team that you have passionately supported all your life, and to make calls during that game, it does not get any grander than this.’,
One notable detail from that day was that Matt Rempe, who had been out due to sickness from the previous game, returned to his typical position of right wing at the fourth line, accompanying Brennan Othmann and Juuso Parssinen. This comeback meant that Brett Berard, for the first time since the Winnipeg match, was serving as a healthy substitute.
After a day’s break on Sunday, the Rangers are set to embark on a journey to the golden state of California. A three-game road trip awaits them as they prepare to compete against the Kings, Ducks, and Sharks.
Nevertheless, their minds are still captivated by the retirement of the beloved voice that has spent 40 years commentating passionately. The man who cheered them, motivated them, and became a staple in every game, the renowned Sam Rosen, will soon bid his final goodbye.
Though there may be uncertainty regarding how the team will fare in the ongoing season and the upcoming playoffs, one thing is certain – their games would not carry the same familiar rhetoric as they did with Rosen’s voice voicing the ebbs and flows. Rosen’s ardent admiration of sports, especially for the Rangers, reflected in each commentary, every analysis, every exciting call he made.
Stepping onto the ice once more to receive countless cheers and tokens of appreciation, Rosen felt the weight of his contribution to the world of sports broadcasting. The golden microphone held more value than as a simple apparatus of work – it represented a career spanning decades, delivering joy and excitement to millions of fans.
As the echoes of the fans gradually faded, one beacon of hope gleefully shined – Rosen’s retirement might not be the end line. There might be a chance, a slim one, that he will lead his beloved team into the playoffs once more, his commentaries serving as the encouragement they require to secure their victory. No matter how things turn out in time, the reflections of Rosen’s golden years with the Rangers will continue to illuminate the commentator booth of Madison Square Garden.