History of Sam Rosen (sportscaster) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 18, 2025

Sam Rosen is a highly acclaimed German-born American sportscaster, most notably recognized as the play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers on MSG. He's celebrated for his remarkable career, marked by his induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame as the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner. In 2024 Rosen was named the recipient of the Lester Patrick trophy. Rosen holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured active broadcaster in the NHL.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1915: Birth of Rosen's Parents

In 1915, both of Sam Rosen's parents, Louis Rosenblum and Gitel Reiner, were born. His parents were of Polish Jewish descent.

August 12, 1947: Samuel Rosenblum Born

On August 12, 1947, Samuel Rosenblum, now known as Sam Rosen, was born in Germany. He is now a well-known sportscaster.

1975: Full-Time Sportscaster for UPI

By 1975, Sam Rosen became a full-time sportscaster for United Press International's 1000-station radio network ("UPI Audio").

August 1979: Coverage of Thurman Munson's Death

In August 1979, Sam Rosen and Keith Olbermann covered the breaking news and produced a half-hour special report for UPI when Yankees catcher Thurman Munson died in a plane crash.

1979: Employed by ESPN

From 1979, Sam Rosen was employed by ESPN, calling various sports for the network including hockey, college football, boxing, table tennis, Australian rules football, college baseball, collegiate wrestling, and NASL soccer.

1979: Appointed Sports Director at UPI

In 1979, Sam Rosen was appointed as the Sports Director for United Press International.

1980: Coverage of Winter Olympics

In 1980, Sam Rosen and Keith Olbermann covered the Winter Olympics for UPI, reporting on all breaking news coverage.

1981: Departure from UPI

In 1981, Sam Rosen left UPI when his ESPN workload and compensation became sufficient for a living wage.

1982: Studio Host on Ranger Broadcasts

From 1982 to 1984, Sam Rosen served as the studio host on New York Ranger broadcasts.

1984: Rangers Play-by-Play Job

In 1984, Sam Rosen took the Rangers play-by-play job after also serving as a studio host for New York Knicks basketball telecasts on MSG.

1984: Succession of Jim Gordon

In the fall of 1984, Sam Rosen succeeded Jim Gordon as the New York Rangers broadcaster.

1986: Partnership with John Davidson

Starting in the 1986-87 season, Sam Rosen was paired with former Rangers goaltender John Davidson. They would become the longest-serving NHL broadcast team.

1987: Death of Louis Rosenblum

In 1987, Louis Rosenblum, Sam Rosen's father, passed away.

1988: End of ESPN Employment

In 1988, Sam Rosen's employment with ESPN ended.

1989: Won Sam Taub Award

In 1989, Sam Rosen won the Sam Taub Award for excellence in boxing broadcasting journalism.

1993: End of Boxing Announcer Role

Until 1993, Sam Rosen was the lead boxing announcer for the MSG Network.

1996: NFL on FOX Announcer

From 1996, Sam Rosen served as a play-by-play announcer for NFL on FOX.

1996: Stanley Cup Finals on NHL Radio

From 1996, Sam Rosen worked the Stanley Cup Finals on NHL Radio.

2002: Winter Olympics Hockey Tournament

In 2002, Sam Rosen called the Winter Olympic Men's Hockey Tournament.

2006: Partnership with Joe Micheletti

Beginning with the 2006-07 NHL season, Sam Rosen partnered with Joe Micheletti as a color analyst.

2006: Death of Gitel Reiner

In 2006, Gitel Reiner, Sam Rosen's mother, passed away.

2006: Winter Olympics Hockey Tournament

In 2006, Sam Rosen called the Winter Olympic Men's Hockey Tournament.

2008: Inducted into National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

In 2008, Sam Rosen was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to sports broadcasting.

2008: Stanley Cup Finals on NHL Radio

Up until 2008, Sam Rosen worked the Stanley Cup Finals on NHL Radio.

2009: Preseason NFL Games for Chicago Bears

From 2009, Sam Rosen called preseason NFL games for the Chicago Bears.

2011: Stepped back from full time work with the NFL on FOX

After the 2011 season, Sam Rosen stepped back from full time work with the NFL on FOX.

2012: Worked a handful of NFL on FOX games each season

From 2012 through 2019, Sam Rosen worked a handful of NFL on FOX games each season.

January 31, 2014: Recognition for 30 Years of Service

On January 31, 2014, Sam Rosen was recognized before a Rangers-Islanders game for his 30 years of service with the MSG Network. A special called "This One Will Last a Lifetime: 30 Years of Sam Rosen" was aired as a present to him from John Davidson.

2016: Enshrined in Hockey Hall of Fame

In 2016, Sam Rosen was enshrined as the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner for outstanding contributions as a broadcaster by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

2017: Replaced by Adam Amin

In 2017, Sam Rosen was replaced by Adam Amin as the announcer for Chicago Bears preseason NFL games.

May 17, 2019: John Davidson Returns to Rangers

On May 17, 2019, John Davidson returned to the New York Rangers to take over duties as the President of the organization.

2019: End of Full-Time Work with NFL on FOX

In 2019, Sam Rosen stepped back from full time work with the NFL on FOX after the 2011 season, and would work a handful of games until 2019.

May 20, 2021: John Davidson Returns to Columbus

On May 20, 2021, John Davidson returned to Columbus.

August 13, 2024: Retirement Announcement

On August 13, 2024, Sam Rosen announced that he would retire from broadcasting the Rangers after the 2024-25 NHL season, marking his 40th with the team.

October 9, 2024: Awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy

On October 9, 2024, following Rosen's retirement announcement, he was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.