Growing up as a young Rangers fan there were a few things that helped make my fandom what it is today. Watching Mark Messier and Brian Leetch played a huge part in it, along with my dad being a fan since the early 1960’s, and then there was of course the voice of the New York Rangers, Sam Rosen. Sam and John Davidson were pivotal in my fandom at such an early age due to their on-air chemistry but also due to how beautifully they narrated the game and helped to enhance so many Rangers moments.
From the iconic “It’s a Powerplay Goal!” to “And they’re on their feet at The Garden!” Sam seemingly tied everything up in a beautiful bow for so many fans for so many years. I can remember watching with my dad a young age and hearing “SAVE BY RICHTER!!” echo from the television and it instantly hooked me into how wonderfully chaotic this game could be.
I can never repay Sam for all he has done for all of us and what he has meant to all of us and how his words will truly last a lifetime. This season wasn’t what anyone dreamed or had hoped for when looking into what the Rangers could do with Sam’s final year on Rangers television but as he did during our playoff drought, he always made us feel like this team had hope.
I can’t begin to thank Sam enough for all the great laughs and incredible moments that he made even better due to his subtle nature and being able to let the moment breathe instead of trying to talk over it. Too many broadcasters now try and talk over the moment and not let it organically grow and that was always the beauty in listening to Sam Rosen. He would let the moment belong to the fans if it was in celebration of a goal before he began to recap it and give it even more life for the fans at home.
From one kid who grew up in Brooklyn loving the New York Rangers to another, thank you for helping cement my fandom of this great game and team. You are one of a kind and truly a New York sports icon who will always be remembered and missed as you begin to enjoy your life post broadcasting. You always were, are, and will be New York Rangers hockey and your career will certainly last a lifetime. Thank you, Sam!
