We often discuss the New York Mets’ broadcast booth—perhaps more than necessary—but there’s a reason Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling are still the best in class. This is reflected in Awful Announcing’s readers ranking them No. 1 in last year’s local announcer standings, and it’s no surprise that Michael Kay expressed frustration about their recognition as the top booth in baseball.
It’s simply the truth—they are exceptional. Yet, each of Cohen, Hernandez, and Darling remains grounded about their success. They understand the importance of their role within a fanbase that has become intertwined with their identities. Hernandez credits Cohen as the best play-by-play announcer in the league, calling him the “maestro” of the booth who orchestrates everything. Together, they balance each other out—Hernandez contributes his hitting prowess, Darling brings pitching insights, and Cohen provides overall equilibrium.
The trio is humorous, poignant, and utterly captivating; however, Cohen emphasizes that their real strength lies in the chemistry they’ve nurtured over the years. “When we arrived, we were all a bit clueless… It’s remarkable that, despite having Hall of Famer Keith and one of the best pitchers in Mets history in Ronnie, there’s absolutely no ego,” Cohen told Steve Serby of the New York Post. “None of us needs the spotlight; we naturally allow each other to shine, and our fantastic producer, Gregg Picker, encourages us to improve every day.”
This ingrained selflessness, along with an unspoken understanding of their respective roles and mutual respect for one another, has allowed Cohen, Hernandez, and Darling to create a broadcast booth that beautifully blends expertise, personality, and humility. Each member knows when to step back and let the others shine, earning them the distinction of being the gold standard year after year.
