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Marysol Castro

Marysol Castro is an American broadcast journalist and sports announcer of Puerto Rican descent, best known as the first female and first Latina public address (PA) announcer in Major League Baseball history, serving in that role for the New York Mets at Citi Field since 2018. She is also the co-host of the lifestyle program New York Living on PIX11, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and a featured correspondent on PIX11 Morning News. Castro's career in media spans over two decades, beginning with her role as a traffic reporter for PIX11 Morning News when the program launched in 2001. She advanced to anchor positions at PIX11 in 2013 and previously served as a weather anchor for ABC's and CBS's . Additionally, she has hosted ESPN coverage of events such as the and broadcasts. A graduate of (class of 1996) with a degree in government and of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, Castro initially aspired to a career in law or politics, including dreams of becoming New York's first Puerto Rican senator, before pivoting to teaching English in and then entering journalism. In her groundbreaking role with the Mets, Castro provides the in-stadium announcements that enhance the game-day experience at , bringing energy and optimism to fans amid the team's performances. Hired ahead of the 2018 season, she quickly gained recognition for breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, with her debut drawing widespread attention on and in sports media. As a lifelong enthusiast—initially a Yankees fan who switched allegiance to the Mets in —Castro's voice has become synonymous with the franchise, marking her as a trailblazer for women and Latinas in sports broadcasting.

Early life and education

Childhood and family

Marysol Castro was born on July 8, 1974, in the Bronx, New York, to parents who had emigrated from Puerto Rico. She grew up in the Wakefield section of the borough, the youngest of four children in a sports-loving household where games like stickball were a regular part of daily life near Yankee Stadium. Castro's father, a U.S. and New York City bus driver actively involved in community organizations such as the , emphasized public service and instilled a sense of ambition in his children before his death when she was 10 years old. Her mother, also of Puerto Rican heritage, contributed to a family environment that prioritized education as a pathway to opportunity and broader societal impact. Inspired by these family values and her father's community engagement, Castro developed an early aspiration to enter politics and become New York's first Puerto Rican senator, reflecting her drive to represent and serve underrepresented communities. The sports-oriented family dynamic, including shared games and discussions of athletics, laid subtle groundwork for her eventual career in sports broadcasting.

Academic background

Marysol Castro attended Westtown School, a Quaker preparatory institution in Westtown, , for her secondary education. She continued her studies at in , earning a degree in in 1996. The liberal arts curriculum at Wesleyan, with its focus on analytical writing, , and , provided a strong foundation in communication and that aligned with her early aspirations in law and . Castro's upbringing in the Bronx further shaped her academic path, fostering an interest in centered on community narratives and underrepresented voices. She then pursued graduate studies at the Graduate School of Journalism, where she obtained a in . This program offered rigorous training in broadcast reporting, on-air delivery, and multimedia storytelling, directly bridging her undergraduate background to professional ambitions in media and public address.

Early career

Teaching role

After graduating from Wesleyan University in 1996, Marysol Castro took on the role of an English teacher at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York, marking her entry into professional education. In this position, she taught 9th- and 12th-grade English classes, where she focused on lesson planning and fostering student engagement through interactive discussions and writing assignments. She also served as coach for the girls' varsity volleyball team, mentoring athletes and leading them to a state championship, which highlighted her extracurricular involvement in building team dynamics and leadership skills. Castro's teaching tenure lasted approximately three years, until 1999, during which she honed essential communication abilities, including under pressure and narrative storytelling, that later supported her pivot to media. Motivated by a passion for broader storytelling and reaching wider audiences, she transitioned from to in 1999, beginning her reporting career at News 12 while pursuing a at University's Graduate School of Journalism.

Initial journalism positions

Marysol Castro launched her career in 1999, transitioning from teaching to focus on hard news reporting in local television. Her prior experience as a teacher at had sharpened her communication skills, aiding her entry into on-air work. From 2000 to 2002, Castro worked as an anchor and general assignment reporter for News 12 The Bronx, a network serving the local community. In this entry-level role, she covered a variety of Bronx-centric stories, including community events and urban issues affecting residents. Her reporting often involved on-the-ground assignments that highlighted neighborhood dynamics and local developments. As a young reporter in the early local TV landscape, Castro navigated challenges stemming from being frequently the only woman and the only in her professional environments, which tested her resilience and contributed to developing a confident on-air presence. These experiences in a male-dominated field built her ability to connect authentically with diverse audiences while delivering hard-hitting news.

Broadcasting career

Local television work

Marysol Castro began her tenure at (PIX11) in in 2001 as the traffic reporter for the newly launched PIX11 Morning News, providing real-time updates on commuter conditions and transportation issues for the tri-state area's local viewers. This role built on her foundational experience at News 12 The Bronx, where she had established credibility in hyper-local reporting from 2000 to 2002. During her initial stint at PIX11, which extended into general assignment reporting until around 2004, Castro covered a range of local topics. After a period in national broadcasting, Castro returned to PIX11 in September 2013 as a co-anchor for the morning news program, marking a significant evolution in her on-air presence within the media market. In this capacity, she contributed to segments tailored to local audiences, fostering a connection with diverse demographics through features on city-wide events and practical advice. Castro's local work expanded in the late and beyond to include hosting duties on linear television and digital extensions, notably as co-host of New York Living, PIX11's weekday program airing from 10 to 11 a.m. since its launch. The show focuses on segments exploring , , and cultural trends relevant to the , with Castro often highlighting community events like street festivals and wellness initiatives. She has notably covered stories amplifying perspectives, such as the Hispanic Heritage Trail exploring cultural landmarks across the Northeast, underscoring contributions from Hispanic communities in the region. These features, including profiles on local artists and heritage celebrations, reflect her commitment to representing underrepresented voices in media.

National network anchoring

Marysol Castro advanced to national television in when she was appointed as the weather and feature correspondent for the weekend edition of ABC's . In this role, she delivered weather forecasts, conducted live segments from field locations, and contributed feature stories to the broadcast. Her work emphasized engaging presentations of meteorological data and environmental topics, helping to inform viewers on daily conditions and notable weather patterns. Castro's responsibilities extended to special reports on significant weather phenomena, such as severe storms and climate-related events, often integrating on-location to provide context and updates during live airings. She served in this capacity until , leveraging her bilingual skills in English and to connect with diverse audiences and enhance as a prominent anchor on a major network. Her local television experience in had positioned her for these national opportunities. Following her departure from ABC, Castro hosted ESPN coverage of events such as the and served as a sideline reporter from 2011 to 2013. In 2011, Castro joined CBS as the weather anchor for , where she provided national forecasts, participated in live team segments, and occasionally guest-hosted related programs. This short but impactful stint, from January to September, further showcased her expertise in morning broadcast and her ability to handle high-profile on-air duties. By this stage in her career, Castro had amassed over a decade of media experience, solidifying her status as a trailblazing figure in national broadcasting.

Role as Mets PA announcer

Selection and debut

In 2018, the hired Marysol Castro as their first female public address (PA) announcer, marking a significant step in diversifying the team's stadium voice. The opportunity arose when the Mets sought fresh talent to replace longtime announcer Alex Anthony, reaching out to television professionals in the industry. A former colleague recommended Castro, leading to her invitation to audition without prior knowledge of the endorsement. The selection process emphasized Castro's extensive journalism background, which included roles as a news anchor at and a weather reporter at , skills that ensured clear and engaging delivery essential for PA duties. She began by recording an audition tape from her closet using a provided lineup, followed by an in-person session at . During the process, Castro inquired about the Mets' choice of a and for the role, to which team representatives explained their intent to better reflect the diverse fanbase of , and the roster's international players. Her attention to details like proper of players' names, confirmed through consultations, further distinguished her in the auditions. Castro shared the duties with Colin Cosell, grandson of legendary broadcaster , with the hires announced on , 2018. Castro made her debut on May 31, 2018, during the Mets' homestand opener against the Chicago Cubs at , handling announcements for lineups, player introductions, and game events. This marked the 57th season for the franchise and her entry as the first woman in the role since its inception. As MLB's first PA announcer, her hiring aligned with broader league and team efforts to promote in sports media, inspiring for underrepresented groups amid growing calls for inclusivity in .

Significance and contributions

Marysol Castro's role as the ' public address (PA) announcer involves key daily responsibilities during home games at , including announcing starting lineups, player introductions, and in-game updates to keep the audience informed and engaged. She also handles advertisements, announcements, and acknowledgments of special events or groups, ensuring a seamless flow of information for an average crowd of around 40,000 fans. These duties, performed with an encouraging and fun tone, contribute to the overall atmosphere, providing a voice of consistency and hope regardless of the team's performance. Castro enhances the fan experience through bilingual elements, such as accurate Spanish pronunciations of players' names, which she refines by consulting with players and Spanish-language radio stations. This approach promotes cultural inclusivity, particularly for the Mets' diverse fanbase, which constitutes over 25% of ' population, and includes highlighting events like and Puerto Rican appreciation nights. By bridging linguistic and cultural gaps, her announcements foster a more welcoming environment, connecting with supporters and enriching the experience for all attendees. Her pioneering position has earned widespread recognition for breaking barriers in sports broadcasting, as the first female PA announcer in Mets history and the first in since her debut in . Media outlets have highlighted her as a for Latinas, emphasizing her efforts to inspire young women in sports and while paving the way for greater diversity in male-dominated fields. Castro views her role as a responsibility to build bridges for MLB's growing audience, drawing from her own experiences as often the only in professional settings. Castro has maintained her tenure through the 2025 season, continuing to amplify the Mets' games and her impact on inclusivity amid the team's competitive campaigns. Her ongoing presence underscores sustained contributions to fan engagement and , as affirmed in recent professional profiles.

Other endeavors

Acting appearances

Marysol Castro has made limited but notable forays into acting, drawing on her on-camera presence from to take on scripted roles in and . In 2018, she appeared as a guest star in the NBC supernatural drama series Manifest, portraying a network news reporter in the episode "Reentry" (Season 1, Episode 2). This role involved delivering on-screen news updates amid the show's plot about a missing plane and its passengers' mysterious return. Castro also appeared in the independent film Born A Stray, a supernatural coming-of-age thriller directed by Adel L. Morales that follows a teenage foster child on a quest after becoming orphaned. While her specific character details are not publicly detailed, her involvement represents a supporting appearance in this low-budget production exploring themes of loss and discovery. These acting credits, alongside potential minor cameos in media projects tied to her professional network, have allowed Castro to expand her screen presence beyond journalism, leveraging her poised delivery in narrative contexts.

Additional media hosting

Marysol Castro has hosted a variety of lifestyle and entertainment programs across digital, cable, and public radio platforms throughout her over 25-year media career. On WPIX-TV, she co-hosts New York Living, a daily lifestyle show airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., where she covers topics ranging from local events to wellness and culture. Additionally, she co-hosted Seasoned, Connecticut Public Radio's inaugural food program, from its 2020 launch through fall 2022, featuring interviews with chefs and explorations of culinary traditions. In the digital space, Castro created and hosts Somos, an online series that profiles accomplished Latinos in arts, sports, and other fields, emphasizing their contributions to American society through insightful interviews. Launched around 2018, the show highlights figures like singer Javier Colón, blending entertainment with cultural storytelling to foster visibility for diverse voices. She also hosts The Weekly Good on OGTV, a digital platform offering uplifting roundups of positive news and community stories, and The Daily Glow on Little Things Mami, focusing on inspirational content for everyday audiences. These endeavors reflect her evolution as a multi-hyphenate host, particularly post-2020, when she expanded into independent online content creation amid shifting media landscapes. Castro's hosting often centers on community impact, including emceeing events that inspire youth in media and sports. In October 2025, she featured hometown rugby players on a Good Morning America segment, drawing parallels to how the sport promoted unity in post-apartheid South Africa and encouraged young athletes in her community to pursue teamwork and resilience. Through such platforms, her work extends beyond entertainment to motivate underrepresented groups in broadcasting and athletics.

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