Bethpage's Antonio Veneziano to join SNY booth as 'Kidcaster' for Mets' game vs. Angels
A general view during the fifth inning of a game between the Mets and Atlanta at Citi Field on July 25, 2024. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The SNY broadcast team will have an extra member Tuesday night as the Mets host the Angels.
Bethpage’s Antonio Veneziano is this year’s SNY “Kidcaster” and will join Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling in the broadcast booth for the fourth inning of Tuesday’s game.
The 11-year-old will take over play-by-play duties from Cohen in the bottom of the fourth.
Veneziano was watching the Mets host the Brewers on July 2 when he was approached in his seat by SNY field reporter Steve Gelbs.
Veneziano said, “Hi Steve.” Gelbs replied, “Hey Antonio, what’s up man?”
“Oh my God! He knows my name,” Veneziano shouted in utter disbelief.
When Gelbs revealed that Veneziano won the “Kidcaster” competition and asked if he would like to join the broadcast, he immediately replied, "I would love to. Really?"
Gelbs said he loved Veneziano’s audition and specifically his home run calls. He asked Veneziano to practice a home run call on the microphone.
“Lindor smacks one, right field,” Veneziano exclaimed. “This one’s back, it has a chance and it’s… Gone!”
Veneziano looked like he was ready to take the field, wearing a City Connect Francisco Lindor jersey and matching hat. His face was covered in eye black and he had his glove on his left hand.
“I don’t know what’s more spectacular,” Cohen said. “The home run call or the eye black? That’s really going all in.”
Hernandez noted that Veneziano was very polite in his interaction with Gelbs.
The “Kidcaster” program invites one fan aged 9-12 each year to call an inning of a Mets game alongside SNY's announcers. Gelbs said SNY received a record number of entries this year.
Veneziano will get a chance to show why he was chosen to join the team.
