This is the start of what we’re going to call “offseason programming.” Now that’s not to say myself, Mike and the rest of the Breakdown team aren’t going to be bringing you content. After all, in a baseball obsessed city like New York, the summer is arguably our busy season. But to break up the talk about our national past time, I wanted to do a series of stories that highlight our favorite things about NYC Sports. The sights, the sounds, the traditions, they’re all part of what define our experience as fans in this town.

Now if you didn’t already know it, I was a broadcasting major in college, with a lot of work in radio, so I figured we’d start on an auditory note. This will be our list of the best sounds in New York Sports. Now that can sound (pun intended) a bit broad and abstract, but frankly that’s the point. As it’s not about one person or place, it’s about the unique pieces of sound that we associate with our teams and their venues. Now without further ado, let’s hear it!

The MSG Organ

Let’s begin at “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” with the instrument that gives MSG its voice. The organ sits high atop the ice and hardwood, and is manned by the talented individual you met above, Ray Castoldi. Ray has had a Birds Eye view to many amazing moments on Broadway while providing the soundtrack to it all. His unique ability to turn any track into “let’s go Rangers!” always makes me smile, buts there really only one chant at MSG…

Slapshot

Let’s stay at the Gawden, and with our friend Ray, who can also write a catchy tune in case you didn’t know. The sound you hear above is in my top five favorites for this town, as it means my beloved New York Rangers have lit the lamp. The goal horn sounds and the guitar riff hits, cueing the MSG chorus to take over. The full throated singing of 18,000 New Yorkers puts a smile to my face, though question raged on for years, “are they singing the right lyrics?” We’ll let Ray settle that debate for us.

Old Blue Eyes

My personal favorite sound in the city, combines two of my favorite things in life. Yankee baseball, and Frank Sinatra. The sure sign that the bombers have won yet again, the chairman of the boards famous track plays through the stadium PA, only to be drowned out by a massive crowd singing along. The tradition started in 1980 and despite taking some different forms over time, it has remained a constant. My favorite part will always be “theseeeeeeee little townnnnnn blues,” just always gives me the chills as I leave the ballpark. The tune just perfectly captures this city and its people, because we’ve all made it here, so we can make it anywhere.

The Chant

I know this has led to many a joke over the years about Jet fans being able to spell, but there is no denying that at full volume “the chant” is epic. The tradition of doing the chant began in for 1970’s back at Shea, and has since carried on, led by Fireman Ed for the most part. Unfortunately the atmosphere in MetLife doesn’t match the crowds at the old Meadowlands or Shea, but combine a big game and the chant, and you’ve got yourself a vibe. It always brings a smile to my face to hear it, as it reminds me of going to countless games with my Uncle in my teen years!

YES! YES! YES!

Let’s head out to the Island for a somewhat new tradition that has become a feature of Isles home games. The chorus “YES! YES! YES!” you hear following an Islanders goal started as the team returned to relevance in the mid/late 2010’s and was at its best in the playoffs at the Coliseum! It was borrowed from the WWE’s Daniel Bryan, who popularized it on his way to being crowned heavy weight champion, and hopefully the Isles will get some more goals to celebrate it with it next year.

A Queens Trio

Let’s head to Flushing, for a trio of sounds that are signatures of Met baseball. First up is Ace Frehley’s rock and roll classic, “New York Groove.” As the Orange and blue pick up a win, the crowd sings back with a “fist full of dollars”, that the team is indeed back in the groove. Always fun as a fan of KISS to hear this track blast through the ballpark.

But maybe instead of KISS, you and your cousin Sal from Bay Ridge prefer the seventh inning stretch featuring Lou Monte’s Lazy Mary. The 1958 Italian track has become a fan favorite at Citi Field, always putting a smile on the crowds face.

Last but certainly not least, there’s Billy Joel’s Piano’s man, typically played during the 8th inning. It’s been replaced here and there over the years much to the chagrin of the Flushing faithful, but it always hits when it plays. It’s the perfect match of baseball and a NYC icon, as you can see above from the World Series in 2015.

GKR

I’m not even going to be bother writing anything here, as nothing I could say would do this booth justice. GKR, take it away…

Mike and Clyde

The other best booth in town resides at MSG, on every Knicks MSG telecast. Mike Breen and Clyde Frazier just celebrated 25 years of partnership and they don’t seem to be slowing down at all. Breen is at the top of his game as the voice of the Knicks and the NBA on ESPN, and is dropping iconic “double bangs” on the regular. Meanwhile Clyde is still MSG’s poet master, with stylish outfits and rhymes a plenty during every Knicks game.

PPG

From one MSG booth to another, though this one is sadly retired. I’m referring of course to the great Sam Rosen catchphrase of “It’s a Powerplay Goal!” At times it’s been used as a meme to express the genuine shock of the fan base at the ice cold power play breaking out, others times it’s been used to marvel at the Rangers prettiest plays. One thing is for sure, we’ll all miss hearing Sam quite a bit!

A Bronx Trio

Let’s go back to the Bronx to wrap up with a trio of Stadium sounds that are always a good time. The first is one of my favorite traditions to take part in, Bleacher Creature Roll Call. The creatures started to chant the starting lineups names while they were in the field in 1998, and haven’t let up. It’s turned into a tradition that sees the players rehearse their reactions to the chants, which always draws a laugh.

Now roll call is fun, but who doesn’t love a big strikeout in the Bronx?! As the Yankee faithful rise to their feet, they’re backed up by a rather scary sounding siren. That siren is from Star Wars, and it is the sound the Death Star makes when it prepares to fire. GM Brian Cashman, a massive Star Wars fan, had it instituted and honestly it’s been a good add!

Of course the Yankees have a sound effect for strike outs after they’re recorded, one that started back when the new ballpark opened. That sound of course is the whistle that plays after each K. If it sounds familiar, it comes from the old W. B. Mason commercials, that aired throughout many a Yankee telecast over the years on YES. It’s a fun touch everyone has come to expect each season.

The Fans

While everything we talked about above is fun and unique to our teams and this town, ultimately what defines New York sports is boisterous crowds. Whether it’s big strikeouts…

A clutch dinger…

A clutch goal…

Or a big run…

We are the constant, we are the soundtrack. So don’t lose your voice New York, we’re gonna need it more in the future!

Stay tuned for more stories in this best of series this series, as well as continuing coverage of the Yankees and Mets! On twitter you can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon.