Not that individual tastes should serve as a scientific meter, but for years I’ve received missives from Yankees fans who wished that Howie Rose was theirs.
Rose, who will pack it in after this season at age 72 — and after a serious health issue two years ago — had a natural or conditioned sense that listeners who would go out their ways to listen to baseball games didn’t need or want to have baseball explained to them.
Perhaps it came from growing up listening to Bob Murphy and Mel Allen. Perhaps it came from listening to — and obeying — his good instincts. To that end, who would ever grow aggravated with Rose’s calls? Who would turn off a game because they didn’t enjoy his engaging personality, candid observations, opinions and harmless cornball cracks?
He rooted for the Mets — “Put in the books!” was a one-way deal as opponents who defeated the Mets also had books — but not unconditionally.
