Juan Soto hit his first home run as a New York Met on Friday night, but Mets fans missed Gary Cohen’s iconic call. This situation follows the raw deal for die-hard Mets fans during the Opening Weekend with two national broadcasts, compounded by streaming issues with MLB.tv and the MLB app that also affected SNY’s new direct-to-consumer product. In light of these challenges, Apple TV+’s broadcast might have felt like a refreshing change.
Although Cohen wasn’t in the SNY booth, his voice still resonated during the call. Wayne Randazzo, who has a strong connection with both Cohen and the Mets, stepped in admirably. Formerly the team’s pre-and post-game host on WOR and later Howie Rose’s radio partner, Randazzo is now the TV voice for the Los Angeles Angels and part of Apple TV+’s Friday Night Baseball team. His familiarity with the Mets showed as he paid tribute to Cohen while calling Soto’s impressive 390-foot home run into the second deck at Daikin Park. If Cohen couldn’t be there, fans couldn’t have asked for a better substitute than Randazzo, or perhaps Adam Amin.
“Well, he’s left-handed, and he hits that one with authority,” Randazzo exclaimed. “That one is outta here. Juan Soto’s first home run as a New York Met — a laser. And so many more to come over the next 15 years.”
Juan Soto crushes his first homer with the New York Mets!
Wayne Randazzo on the Mets-Astros play-by-play call for AppleTV+. ⚾️💣🎙️ #MLB pic.twitter.com/2BOjsMuyiV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 29, 2025
Dontrelle Willis had just remarked on Soto’s powerful swing at a foul ball, suggesting he looked like a right-handed hitter. Randazzo seamlessly integrated this observation into his call and respected the “maestro” of the No. 1 local announcing crew in MLB last season.
Threw in an outta here for Gare. https://t.co/0azJYP7zda
— Wayne Randazzo (@WayneRandazzo) March 29, 2025
Despite Soto’s impressive home run, Randazzo ensured that Cohen’s signature “outta here” call was not forgotten. This small gesture served as a meaningful reminder of home for Mets fans, who found themselves once again on a national broadcast.
