In the genes
The grandson of the late sports announcer Howard Cosell is attempting to make a name for himself with the New York Mets.
Colin Cosell, 38, made a smooth debut Saturday night as a public address announcer for the Mets, starting with their game against the Chicago Cubs. He’ll share the duties this season with Marysol Castro, who began earlier this week.
Next week, maybe, fans at Citi Field might get a real treat.
For all the games and events and commentary the bombastic Howard Cosell did during a career that made him America’s best known sportscaster — revered or reviled — there’s no doubt about his most iconic call.
“Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!”
Cosell punched up each word, staccato-style in a frenzy that night in 1973, when George Foreman rocked Joe Frazier to win the heavyweight crown.
And it just so happens the Mets have a player named Frazier.
Third baseman Todd Frazier currently is on the disabled list but is expected back in the lineup soon. And when he returns, Colin Cosell will be ready.
Cosell plans to enunciate Frazier’s last name exactly the way his grandfather did all those years ago on that charged evening in Jamaica.
“With Todd’s blessing, of course,” he said.
Cosell doesn’t particularly look like Howard, and his normal speaking voice is nothing like his grandfather’s — the only hint will come, probably, when Todd Frazier steps to the plate.
The rest of the time, Colin said, he just wants to do the job well. To tell it like it is, in other words.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do my entire life,” he said. “Get it right. Keep the Cosell legacy alive.”