Rose started his career doing sports updates on New York City-based Sports Phone, a telephone dial-in service, during the mid-1970s, which led to sports updates on news radio station WCBS-AM through the early 1980s. Rose has called Mets play-by-play on radio or television since 1995, and is regarded by fans and media outlets alike as an expert of Mets history. He has previously hosted the "Mets Extra" pre- and post-game shows. He worked the television booth until the retirement of long-time Mets radio voice Bob Murphy in 2003. The following year, Rose took Murphy's spot alongside Gary Cohen on WFAN. Cohen became the play-by-play broadcaster on then-new Mets television networkSportsNet New York starting during the 2006 season, sharing the radio booth with partner Tom McCarthy. In 2008, Wayne Hagin replaced McCarthy, and from 2012-2018, Rose called games with Josh Lewin. As of 2019, Howie calls games with Wayne Randazzo. From 2014-2018 he called games on WOR, before moving to WCBS in 2019. He has also co-hosted MLB Now, joining Brian Kenny, Mark DeRosa, and Ken Rosenthal on MLB Network. Rose has also been the master of the ceremonies during key Mets events, including Opening Day at Shea Stadium and Citi Field since 2004. He has hosted ceremonies marking the opening of Citi Field in 2009, the 40th anniversary of the Mets 1969 World Series victory, a special pregame ceremony honoring Ralph Kiner in 2008, and Mike Piazza's number retirement ceremony in 2016.
Announcing style
Rose's end-of-game catchphrase is, "Put it in the books", used after the final out is recorded in a Mets win. After Mets losses, Rose says "and the ballgame is over". When he uses the phrasing "and the Mets are leading by a score of _ to _", he is using the same diction as original Mets broadcaster Lindsey Nelson.
Hockey
Rose worked as a play-by-play radio announcer for the New York Rangers, and was paired mainly with Sal Messina. He is most recognized by Rangers fans for his call of "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" made when Stéphane Matteau scored the game-winning goal in double-overtime of Game 7 of the 1994 NHL Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils en route to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Rangers would go on to win the cup that year over the Vancouver Canucks 4 games to 3, their first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years. Rose was the play-by-play announcer for Islanders telecasts where he worked alongside Butch Goring. For the season, Rose's work was simulcast on radio as well. Rose replaced Jiggs McDonald on Islanders broadcasts in and was previously partnered with Ed Westfall, Joe Micheletti, and Billy Jaffe. After the 2015-2016 season, Rose announced he would not return to call Islanders games after the end of the season.
Other career roles
Rose was the original prime-timeradio host on WFAN when the station went all-sports in 1987, hosting the program until 1995. Rose occasionally worked games for Fox NHL Saturday in the mid-1990s, and now works for Fox Saturday Baseball. He has also called Long Island Blackbirds basketball and soccer. On March 1, 2013, his book Put it in the Book was released. The book is an autobiography and memoir of 50 years of Mets history. The book was co-written with Phil Pepe.
