NYC Radio: Josh Lewin EXITS NYMets Radio Booth

Josh Lewin

Josh Lewin is leaving the NY Mets radio booth as the team moves its game broadcasts to WCBS 880 from WOR 710 AM beginning in the 2019 season. Meanwhile, Howie Rose, the lead play-by-play, has agreed to terms for a new deal and will return as the voice of the team.

According to The NYPost, Lewin is taking an unspecified new play-by-play position that he said would be better for his family.

“Earlier this week, I removed myself from consideration as part of the Mets’ radio team,” Lewin told The Post. “Instead I will be accepting an offer away from New York, with details coming as soon as the contracts get signed.”

Rose’s new partner is not yet determined, but Wayne Randazzo is a leading candidate. Randazzo served as the Mets’ pre- and postgame host when game were aired on WOR. Ed Coleman could return as the pre- and postgame host, but Coleman still could retire. WCBS could conduct a national search for Lewin’s replacement.

Lewin had been Rose’s partner for the past five years. Entercom’s Mark Chernoff, who first hired Lewin in 2012 when the games were still aired on WFAN, has been in discussions with Lewin for the past week or so about his future.

It is believed Chernoff, WFAN’s vice president, may have helped Lewin obtain his next job. Lewin is currently the voice of UCLA football.

“I’m forever grateful to Mark Chernoff,” Lewin said. “He’s the one that put me into the [Mets’] booth in the first place.”

Lewin developed a following with the Mets with his “Seinfeld” references and his penchant for obscure facts.  Lewin, 50, has been around the majors, having called games for Fox national, the Orioles, the Cubs, the Tigers and the Rangers. He was also the voice of the Chargers before they moved from San Diego to Los Angeles.