Almost immediately after New York Mets fans learned in March that legendary play-by-play announcer Howie Rose will retire from calling games after the 2026 MLB season, Mets fans began dreaming about hearing Rose call the final out of a World Series win this coming fall. 

Such a dream almost certainly won't become a reality, as the last-place Mets ended Monday holding a 42-59 record on the season. For an update shared on Tuesday, Anthony Rieber of Newsday asked Rose if the radio voice of the Mets could change his mind and decide that he wants a better ending to his tenure. 

For better or for worse, this is it for Howie Rose

"No," Rose repeated multiple times. "The thought of, 'OK, can I do this for another year?' When I think of all that, I go, 'Goodness, no. It's time.'"

The Mets won what remains their most recent World Series title in 1986, while Rose began hosting pregame and postgame shows for Mets radio broadcasts in 1987. He has called Mets games for either television or radio since 1996, and he wants to continue serving as the master of ceremonies for special team-related events beyond the ongoing season. 

"Unless something changes right now, the plan is for me to continue to do those," Rose said about his master of ceremonies role with the Mets. "I would be up for Opening Day and a Mets Hall of Fame induction day, and if they have any kind of Old-Timers’ or sort of alumni type event, I would emcee that. Whether anything that I do goes beyond that, it's something we could talk about a little bit later on."

Has the Mets' poor play ruined Howie Rose's final season? 

Back in March, then-Mets manager Carlos Mendoza texted Rose and said that "we’re going to win it all this year." Mendoza has since been fired, and the Mets will likely embrace some sort of fire sale before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. 

During his chat with Rieber, Rose touched upon whether or not his final season has essentially been ruined by the Mets' disappointing play. 

"It's complicated because, again, I'm working against the backdrop of a looming conclusion to my career," Rose explained. "So in a sense, I suppose I embrace every game more than I would have ordinarily in a season like this, but I don't take it personally. I mean, there are so many people who have said, 'You deserve so much better.' Bull. I don't. They don't owe me anything. I owe them everything. I'm talking about the Mets and the fans and the people in the media who have been so nice throughout all this. I mean, nobody owes me anything. I'm just trying to get out before I overstay my welcome."

Rieber teased that the Mets could hold a "Howie Rose Day" for their home finale of the season, a matchup against the rival Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 20. If nothing else, such an occasion could give Mets fans a reason to want to head out to Citi Field on an NFL Sunday amid a lost year for the ballclub.