Joe Castiglione, the renowned voice of the Boston Red Sox on the radio for an impressive 41 seasons, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Ford C. Frick Award. This award, bestowed annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, recognizes excellence in baseball broadcasting. Castiglione’s achievement will be celebrated during the Hall of Fame Awards Presentation, part of the Hall of Fame Weekend scheduled for July 19-22, 2024.
Castiglione’s broadcasting career is marked by its longevity and impact. He started with the Red Sox in 1983, the final season of legendary player Carl Yastrzemski, and has since become a fixture in New England, connecting generations of Red Sox fans. His distinctive commentary during the team’s four World Series victories over the past 20 seasons has made a lasting impression on the fans.
Born in Hamden, Connecticut, Castiglione pursued his undergraduate degree at Colgate University and then completed his master’s degree at Syracuse University. His broadcasting career began at WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, Ohio, and included stints calling games for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers before returning to the Indians’ booth in 1982. The following year, he joined the Red Sox radio team.
Throughout his tenure, Castiglione has worked with various partners, such as Bob Starr, Dave O’Brien, Jerry Trupiano, and Will Flemming. In addition to his broadcasting work, he has also contributed to the field of education, teaching broadcast journalism at Northeastern University, Franklin Pierce University, and Emerson College.
Recognized for his contributions to Red Sox history, Castiglione was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014. He has called several historic moments, including Roger Clemens’ 20-strikeout games and four no-hitters. In 2022, the Fenway Park radio booth was named in his honor, a testament to his significance in Red Sox lore.
The Ford C. Frick Award is named after the renowned sportswriter, radio broadcaster, National League president, and baseball commissioner, and is voted upon annually. The award’s criteria emphasize commitment to excellence, quality of broadcasting, reverence within the game, popularity with fans, and peer recognition. To be eligible, broadcasters must have at least 10 years of major league broadcast service. The award process involves a rotating election cycle focusing on different eras of broadcasting, ensuring a comprehensive acknowledgment of broadcasting excellence through the years.
