Iconic Red Sox broadcaster Joe Castiglione announces retirement

Boston Red Sox radio broadcaster Joe Castiglione is retiring at the end of the season.

Castiglione, who was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, made the announcement during the third inning of Sunday's broadcast against the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox also announced plans to honor him before their final regular-season home game on Sept. 29.

Castiglione joined the Red Sox radio booth in 1983 and became their primary radio voice 10 years later. The Connecticut native was behind the microphone for the team's historic 2004 World Series title, the first of four Red Sox titles he called. All told, he worked over 6,500 games for the franchise and will go down as the longest-tenured announcer in team history.

In July, Castiglione received the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award, given annually to a broadcaster for contributions to baseball. He was only the second broadcaster to be honored primarily for his work with the Red Sox, following Curt Gowdy in 1984.

"Joe calls games with an authenticity that makes every listener feel like an insider," Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said in a statement released by WEEI. "He turns every play into a shared experience, perfectly capturing our joy and disbelief with his unforgettable call - 'Can you believe it?' - after the final out of the 2004 World Series. He has carried us through loss and disappointment with compassion and sincerity and has been a nightly companion to millions for generations, earning his place as one of New England's most beloved voices."

Castiglione told the Red Sox television broadcast that he'll continue to be involved with the organization as an ambassador in retirement. He may also return to the booth as a fill-in broadcaster "here or there."

Prior to being hired by the Red Sox, Castiglione spent time as the television voice of the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers, as well as the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.