Sports
Howie Rose matches moment of Pete Alonso’s home run, gets standing ovation from players
As Howie Rose’s call of Pete Alonso’s season-saving home run began playing over the public address system on the New York Mets’ joyous charter flight out of Milwaukee, the veteran broadcaster briefly cupped his hands to his ears.
From his seat on a plane full of Mets players and staffers, Rose, 70, was embarrassed. No broadcaster, he’d later say, wants to be present as people listen to their words. It’s weird. Uncomfortable. That’s true no matter how good the call was, and Rose’s call was epic.
“I wanted to crawl under the seat when that thing was playing,” Rose said.
They played @HowieRose’s call on the plane and it was EPIC! #LGM pic.twitter.com/JBU3udddBl
— x – New York Mets (@Mets) October 4, 2024
Instead, Rose got up. You see, had Rose continued to cover his ears with his hands, he may have succeeded in blocking out his words. But he had no chance against the accompanying raucous ovation from the players in the back of the plane. They hooted and hollered, clapped so loudly for Rose and gave him a standing ovation.
“I wanted to acknowledge it,” Rose said. “I really wanted to embrace Pete because he’s a guy I’ve known since he came up.”
After Rose stood from his seat and looked toward the back of the plane, he saluted the players. He pointed in Alonso’s direction. Then Rose did something he had never done before. He wandered to the back rows, where the players reside.
Generally, on a baseball team’s plane, players and the traveling party (which includes the radio and television broadcasters) are cordial, but there’s an inherent understanding of space. As Rose put it, the parts of the plane might as well be different zip codes. Not late Thursday night.
“Under normal circumstances, it would never ever, ever happen,” SNY’s Mets field reporter Steve Gelbs said. “But in this instance, it would’ve actually been weird if it didn’t happen.”
With each row Rose passed, he received a pat on the back or a high five. When he reached Alonso, Rose leaned in and told him, simply, “I’m really, really happy for you.”
“With one sentence,” Rose said, “I wanted him to know that I’m in his corner.”
That’s Rose. He doesn’t overdo it. He doesn’t have to. He understands moments. And he nails them with a tasteful blend of the right words, observations and emotions.
“It was Pete’s and the team’s night, but Howie enhanced it,” Gelbs said. “There was so much genuine love and appreciation for Howie’s ability to provide the perfect soundtrack to an all-time moment for the franchise.”
With the Mets oozing Team of Destiny vibes, Rose delivered Thursday night, presenting a how-to in the art of calling a big play.
Rose got it all. And that’s saying something. A few days earlier, on another astounding call, Rose captured the aura of Franciso Lindor’s home run that helped the Mets clinch a playoff spot. As fans replayed it over and over in awe, Rose was somewhat irked he neglected to mention Michael Harris II climbing the wall. Yes, that’s the kind of detail, kind of level Rose strides for when making these calls. He’s a perfectionist.
The Alonso call may have been perfect. Before the home run, Rose had introduced the idea of the Mets’ season as a “fairy tale.” He’d remember to use that word again. On the call, he mentioned Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick jumping at the wall. The emotion came out raw. He accurately called it Alonso’s most memorable home run. He captured Alonso’s emotion running the bases. He relayed the score within the pandemonium. He acknowledged the rarity of everyone “pouring out” of the Mets’ dugout. He shared the scene at home plate. Then Rose capped it off, saying, “Pete Alonso keeps this fairy-tale season going with the fairy-tale swing of his career — 3-2 New York!”
This might be the most perfect radio call I’ve ever heard, via the great Howie Rose. pic.twitter.com/AepTdRqm2c
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 4, 2024
Alonso helped send the Mets to the National League Division Series, which starts against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. The moment instantly joined the list of all-timers for the franchise. Behind so many of them has been Rose.
“It’s very much a case of being a reporter,” Rose said. “I’m charged with the responsibility of doing it succinctly, accurately, and hopefully, in the best-case scenario, somewhat eloquently. And you know, when I listened back, I think as emotional as I was, I think I checked all the boxes I wanted to check.”
A predictable understatement, to be sure. Rose crushed it. Within hours, clips of the call had ricocheted throughout social media, racking up thousands of shares.
More than any other sport, baseball gives team broadcasters the most chances to connect with audiences whether at home, in an office cubicle or the car.
The connection starts in the spring and lasts through the entire summer. Then, come October, that link is abruptly severed. For the playoffs, national broadcasts displace the ones produced locally, and the voices that guide fans through most of the season go silent. That’s the case on television.
But not so on the radio. This is why Rose, a familiar voice to New Yorkers, was behind the mic for one of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
“When it’s done right,” Rose said, “it’s art.”
Before Rose’s call replayed over the plane’s public address system, so many people, including Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza, approached him, not just to congratulate him on the call, but to thank him as well.
Rose has endured as one of radio’s most polished practitioners. He has called Mets play-by-play on radio or television since 1995. In 2022, Rose began to cut back his schedule, following health issues. Rose, a native New Yorker who grew up a Mets fan and basically doubles as a walking encyclopedia of the franchise, views this year’s run as special. The Mets keep rising to the occasion. Rose keeps matching them. Fans of the club would have it no other way.
“They know that I’m invested, and that makes us kindred spirits,” Rose said. “And what’s more important than that, though, is that I think, over time, and, obviously I’ve been doing this for a long time, I’ve built the kind of trust that enables me to say something, whether it’s critical or opinionated in any way, and know that the listener understands where I’m coming from. I’m not trying to short-sell them or sell them a bill of goods. I’m just saying it as I see it, and they trust me. And the added advantage I have is that I’m emotionally invested in this team because I was a fan of theirs from day one. And a lot of those fans will say they’ve been fans since their earliest baseball memories. So again, I like to use the phrase we are kindred spirits.”
(Photo of Pete Alonso after his Game 3 home run: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
The final weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, with France and England playing for third place on Saturday before defending champion Argentina takes on 2010 winner Spain for the title on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the last two matches of the 39-day, 48-team tournament in North America (all times Pacific).
Saturday’s third-place game
France vs. England
France star Kylian Mbappé smiles during a World Cup semifinal match against Spain on Tuesday.
(David Ramos / Getty Images)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo | Streaming: Fox One, Peacock
The buzz: This is a game neither team really wants to play. The disappointment of missing the final is fresh and the weather report calls for temperatures in the high 80s with 68% humidity and a chance of thundershowers — a brutal South Florida summer day. The $2-million difference in prize money between third and fourth place isn’t likely to make any of that more palatable. Still, the game will have meaning for France since it will be the final match for coach Didier Deschamps, the winningest World Cup manager in history. And captain Kylian Mbappé, tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for most goals in the tournament (8), has a chance to become the first player to win consecutive Golden Boots. England is playing in the consolation final for the second time in three World Cups; it lost to Belgium 2-1 in 2018. But this one will probably sting even more since the Three Lions were five minutes away from their first final in six decades before collapsing against Argentina. This could be the last World Cup game for England’s Golden Generation of Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Jordan Henderson.
Sunday’s championship game
Spain vs. Argentina
Argentina star Lionel Messi celebrates after a win over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday.
(Buda Mendes / Getty Images)
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Time: Noon
TV: Fox, Telemundo | Streaming: Fox One, Peacock
The buzz: Argentina has a chance to become the first repeat World Cup champion since Brazil in 1962, which would give Messi another grand achievement in his sixth and likely final World Cup. Messi enters the weekend as the all-time leader in goals, assists and games played in tournament history. But unbeaten Argentina hasn’t made things easy, with its winning goals in the four knockout-round games coming in the 92nd minute or later. Spain, the reigning European champion, will be playing to put a second star on its jersey to match the one it won in 2010. La Roja, with the sixth-youngest roster in the World Cup, got to the final on the strength of spectacular defense led by Unai Simón, who has six clean sheets in seven games. Mikel Oyarzabal is the team’s leading scorer with five World Cup goals. The teams had one common opponent in this tournament, tiny Cape Verde, a World Cup debutante. It played Spain to a scoreless draw in its opener, then held Argentina to a 1-1 standoff into extra time before falling.
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One of the most memorable moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics came early, when skier Lindsey Vonn delivered a gutsy performance for the ages by competing at 41 just a week after injuring her knee in a crash.
Unfortunately, as admirable as her perseverance was, she injured herself badly in another crash just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s downhill final.
Five months later, Vonn is still very much dealing with her injuries.
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Lindsey Vonn speaks on stage during the 2026 ESPYs. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
“It’s been a very slow process,” Vonn told People while attending the ESPYs Wednesday in New York City. “It’s been five months since I’ve been able to actually go to the gym in a somewhat meaningful way. And walking is actually still really hard for me. My ankle is still broken.”
Regardless of the outcome, her decision to attempt that run remains one of the most courageous moments of the Games.
Lindsey Vonn was involved in a serious crash during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)
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Remember when I mentioned that injury before the Olympics? That wasn’t just a minor bump in the road; it was a completely ruptured ACL.
There was no questioning her courage, but the aftermath has been difficult.
Lindsey Vonn walks through pit lane ahead of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)
“I was in a wheelchair for so long. I was on crutches for so long,” Vonn said. “It was honestly almost 3½ months that I was unable to walk unassisted. I got very emotional when I was able to walk on my own.”
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This week, Vonn posted an update on her recovery and said she has “a very long road ahead.”
The UCLA women’s basketball team won its first NCAA championship in April. Now, it’s vying to stay on top.
Based on Thursday’s practice, after which UCLA spoke with the media for the first time since its dominant title run, it’s clear that the Bruins intend to remain on top, even with a target on their back and a revamped roster.
Success leaves clues
One would think a defending champion pursuing a repeat would, well, just try to run it back.
But not Cori Close’s bunch.
Entering her 16th season as coach, Close is emphatic about the importance of process over outcome — or journey over destination — and leaning into the beauty of the grind.
“We get to walk out and live out what we learn from the championship run,” Close said. “But we’re also not trying to repeat a championship outcome. We’re trying to repeat a championship process. And success leaves clues. There are things that we want to make sure we carry over from what we learn.
“But this is a new art project. This is a new identity. This is a new chance. The standards don’t change, but the way we go about it is going to be unique to this team, and that’s really fun to explore.”
The 98%
UCLA coach Cori Close speaks during a news conference on April 4.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Part of the “championship process” Bruins fans can expect to hear about is the “98%.”
Close repeated it. Players repeated it. It’s a mentality Close wants the Bruins to keep in mind throughout the season.
“What I mean by that is 98% of the game is played without the ball,” Close explained. “Can you become a better screener? Can you learn someone else’s tendencies? Can you talk more on defense? Can you become a better rebounder? How many ways can we learn from each other and be better ‘98%’ players? And if we do that, we’ll be on our way.”
Possessing the ball — the 2% — does matter. But players who can thrive without the ball will establish a team that, in Close’s eyes, can be difficult to beat.
Sienna Betts’ role
UCLA forward Sienna Betts, left, speaks to her older sister, UCLA center Lauren Betts, before a game in December.
(Caroline Brehman / Associated Press)
Sienna Betts, the younger sister of departed UCLA star Lauren Betts, is set to have a key role as a returning sophomore on a team with many new players.
“It’s going to be different,” Sienna said, referencing the Bruins losing six players to the WNBA. “But I mean, I’m excited. And it’s not the first time I’ve been in a position like this; I mean, not at this level, obviously. So, I’m just excited to be in this new role. And I have coaches who are here to help me.
“I’m just planning on doing whatever Coach Cori needs from me, whatever the team needs.”
The 6-foot-4 forward is primed to be the Bruins’ anchor in the paint. She demonstrated her leadership during Thursday’s practice as well as some bully ball inside.
Betts, who is left-handed, mentioned her focus on right-handed shooting this offseason in preparing for increased touches. She averaged six points and four rebounds over 28 games as a freshman. Close said she is improving quickly.
“The younger players have grown into new roles,” Close said. “I think you could see glimpses of that [with] how Sienna’s already started to do that, even maybe ahead of where I thought she’d be at this point.”
Elina Aarnisalo’s return
UCLA guard Elina Aarnisalo controls the ball in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA tournament.
(Young Kwak / Associated Press)
Elina Aarnisalo, who played for UCLA as a freshman in 2024-25, is back in Westwood after spending her sophomore season with North Carolina.
The 5-10 guard averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds as a freshman and saw her scoring double (10.2) in Chapel Hill. Aarnisalo, a native of Finland, said she is more confident, not only as a player but also as a communicator.
“There’s going to be a lot of spots on the team open now after a big draft class,” Aarnisalo said. “And a lot of seniors leaving, that obviously interested me too. Talking with Cori [about] what my role could be on this team and what we could accomplish this year … just knowing the standards at UCLA, how we practice, how they focus on individual work; I’ve seen it, and I’ve seen my old teammates [and] how they’ve succeeded in this environment, which is why I wanted to come back.”
Aarnisalo averaged 21 minutes per game as a freshman and 27 as a sophomore. She stands a good chance of receiving even more playing time.
New faces, same goal
Former Texas Christian guard Donovyn Hunter is among the new players on the UCLA roster.
(Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)
The Bruins will look starkly different after essentially exchanging six WNBA-ready players for five enticing transfers.
Those newcomers are Texas Christian guard Donovyn Hunter, Iowa State forward Addy Brown, Arkansas guard Bonnie Deas, Notre Dame guard KK Bransford and Aarnisalo.
“These girls are obviously really talented, come from really different programs,” Betts said. “It takes a second to adjust to Coach Cori’s rhythm, and her offense, and just how she runs practice and games. But I think they’re doing a great job integrating in, and they’re all just great human beings off the court and on the court. So, I’m really excited for this group.”
Close acknowledged she has been very busy. She had to retool the roster while simultaneously celebrating the previous one.
“I’m not complaining, but it has been a great challenge and an incredible, intense thing,” Close said. “I mean, literally, the minute after the UCLA women embrace new players, tougher standards in bid to repeat as champs game, we are on the phone with recruits from the locker room, and the next day, the transfer portal opens. So, I mean, this has been nonstop.”
UCLA’s first test is north of the border
The Bruins will face Canada’s women’s national team in an exhibition next Wednesday in Victoria, British Columbia.
While UCLA is far from a polished product, facing Canada’s best is, if anything, a great opportunity to gain even more exposure and improve team chemistry.
“We’re trying to get better. We’re trying to get more physical,” Aarnisalo said. “So we’re going to be in better shape when the actual game starts and the season starts. So it’s an everyday process.”
Timea Gardiner trending upward
Bruins forward Timea Gardiner is expected to play in Canada after missing last season as a medical redshirt because of a knee injury.
Gardiner, who transferred to UCLA in 2024 after two years at Oregon State, averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 18 minutes per game in her first season with the Bruins.
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