Sunday may be the end of the 2025 MLB season, but it’s also the end of an era in Nationals baseball. After 20 seasons on the microphone, Nationals television play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter is retiring.
“It’s starting to become very real,” says Carpenter.
The broadcaster has been with the Nationals organization since 2006, their second year in Washington.
“I’m feeling pretty good about it, looking forward to the end of the season to be back with my family full time and all that. But you know, it’s going to be sad when I hang up that headset for the last time. Sunday evening, absolutely.”
“Throughout the season, it seems like it’s been kind of far away and down the road. And I knew as soon as we got past the all-star break, and then certainly past Labor Day, the calendar was going to start flipping, and this thing was going to start flying on me. So here we are, it’s becoming very real for me. I’m trying to, you know, savor every moment, every pitch, every inning, every ball.”
The grind of broadcasting 162 games can be taxing on family life as Carpenter explains.
“This is the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make, because when you’re doing something you really love and you’ve been doing it for a long time, it’s hard to picture me not doing this. And at the same time, I have spent over the last 42 years of doing major league baseball, plus I’ve done, you know, basketball, college basketball, college football, soccer, pro golf, pro tennis. I’ve done a lot of different things. I’ve been very fortunate in that regard, some of it local, some of it network. And the amount of time that you have to spend away from your family is, is, it’s tough, it’s, it’s a tough part of that job. So, I’ve been saying goodbye to my wife, Debbie every March for the last 42 years to do baseball. We’re looking at our 46th wedding anniversary in November. You know, we’ve survived this grind and this long four and a half decades period of time working together. I mean, if you’re in this business, you better have a great partner or a great spouse. And I do, and she’s awesome. And now I really feel like this is her time. This is time for me to give my time back to her.”
However, as Carpenter explains, the ability to enter the homes of viewers has been a honor, “When you become a baseball announcer, it’s a big deal because you’re not on once a week like you are in football. You’re not on two or three times a week like you are in basketball or hockey. I mean, once that season starts, you’re there every you’re there every night, every day. So I take that seriously, and when people say that to me, you know, it amuses me, because of the longevity factor, but at the same time, it’s very flattering, and it’s wonderful, because I feel like we’re all friends, and that’s really cool to know that by simply doing your job, you’ve been able to have an influence on people. You’ve been able to entertain them and bring them Nationals baseball. So, I’m pleased that I’ve been here for all every year but one of the history of the Nats, and it’s been a great ride, and it’s been the most enjoyable job I’ve ever enjoyed in my nearly 50-year career.”
The memorable calls that Carpenter has made includes his signature phrase when a National hits a homer, “See You Later!” However, some of his other memorable moments are some of the best plays in Nationals team history.
“I still remember the cold New York night in April of oh six, when Ryan Zimmerman hit his first career home run and it helped us win a ball game.”
“Steven Strasburg’s debut game in 2010 when he struck out 14 pirates in seven innings. You know, because we knew all about Stephen. He was coming quickly through the minor leagues and all that, and he was the number one draft pick and that that night, Steven let us know that things were changing with the Nationals.”
“Jordan Zimmerman is no hitter on the last day of 2014 an amazing moment when he and Wilson Ramos were the only two guys on the field at the end of the game who worked there at the beginning of the game because Jordan was supposed to pitch five innings that day. And they let it. They let him stay in.”
“Max Scherzer comes along in 15 to no hitters, the 20 strikeout game after that, and Kurt Suzuki hitting a walk off Homer against the Mets in September of 19, when the Nationals scored nine seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Mets.”
“In 2019, I was a reporter. (in the playoffs) We weren’t carrying the games. I was with the team down in the clubhouse. Got soaked with champagne and beer a couple of times, and got to hold up the World Series trophy. So, you know, those are moments that will stick out.”
Carpenter has been honored at other ballparks across the league, which he says he appreciates, “For people, just to recognize you for simply doing your job, that’s the way I kind of look at it. I don’t try to consider myself anything special. I’m doing my job. I’m trying to connect with our fans, and if other teams want to pay tribute to that, it’s great, and I really appreciate it.”
As Carpenter enters his final broadcast, he knows he has a second home here in Washington DC, and is content to walk out on-top of his game.
“I still love it. I love being around the team, I love the city, I love our fans, but ultimately, there comes a time when you have to make a decision, and I really feel in here, while it’s going to be sad for me to give it up, I really feel that I’m doing the best thing for my wife, for my kids and for my grandsons, and from for my family overall. And I think I’m in a good place with this call.”