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As the Washington Nationals have navigated another challenging season, one constant presence behind the microphone has been their longtime television broadcaster, Bob Carpenter, who has been the voice of the Nationals since 2006. Over a remarkable 42-year career announcing Major League Baseball, Carpenter has narrated the highs and lows of the team, becoming a familiar and trusted presence for Nationals fans.
In March 2025, Carpenter announced that the 2025 season would be his last, and that he would retire following the conclusion of the season's schedule. Now preparing to step away from full-time announcing, Carpenter shares with The Nats Report his heartfelt reflections on his journey, the current state of the team, and his hopes for the future.
“I’m feeling a mix of emotions, as I know I will dearly miss the Nats but I also feel that, after 42 seasons of announcing major league baseball, that I have just about had enough and that I am (in Scherzer fashion) ‘emptying the tank’ and trying to leave it all on the air in these final weeks,” Carpenter explains. While the daily grind of a baseball season—the hotels, buses, flights, and late-night travel—has taken its toll, the joy of calling the games remains a cherished experience. “I will miss watching games from the TV booth and enjoying the ebb and flow of the season, but I won’t miss the hotels, buses, flights and the late-night travel.”
Reflecting on the evolution of both the team and the game itself, Carpenter notes how every season brings fresh challenges and perspectives. “No two teams are alike and the same goes for seasons. I feel like those early years were a struggle from the won-loss standpoint, but I was experiencing a new city and a new organization after many years of working in baseball for St. Louis and ESPN.” Over the years, he became accustomed to the thrill of winning seasons, though the team’s recent struggles have reminded him of those early days. “Then we had the good years and I got pretty used to winning, and that obviously has changed back similar to those early years. I still love baseball no matter what our record is, and I’m taking that down the stretch and will strive to give our viewers and fans the most positive vibes I can.”
When asked about the moments that stand out most vividly during his tenure, Carpenter’s response is filled with pride and fondness. “In the early days, watching a young Zim start to establish himself as a great player … the debut of Strasburg … then Bryce two years later and eventually becoming an MVP … the clinching of that first division title in ’12 (and the ensuing shock and disappointment of losing that DS to St. Louis).” He recalls the excitement of the middle years: “The JZimm no-hitter, the arrival of Max and the no-hitters and 20K games … the regular division titles and the thrill of the ’19 season that started so badly and ended so well … the Suzuki walkoff HR vs the Mets … getting that ring.” Yet, the later years were bittersweet. “Tough to watch the dismantling of a championship team and the absolute heartbreak of watching our best players end up in the division … hope that this young team can learn from all the bruises it’s absorbing right now and learn how to win … and the optimism that the core of Abrams, Crews, Lile, Wood, Gore, Irvin, Cavalli and Ferrer can usher in a new era of winning.”
His unwavering dedication to the fans remains a central part of his identity. “I always, and I hope this is obvious, try to put the fans first in everything I do. I was a young fan that lived and died with my team, I worked at the ballpark in St. Louis for 7 years thru HS and college and identify with the wonderful folks that work at Nationals Park, and as a broadcaster I’ve tried to never forget that real people with real jobs (is what I do a job?) live and die with our team every day.” He continues, “I’ve seen some in this business try to be too close to the players and try to be one of the boys, but my first obligation is to the fans, and I hope they know that and will remember that about me. I feel I’m one of them.”
I’m feeling a mix of emotions, as I know I will dearly miss the Nats but I also feel that, after 42 seasons of announcing major league baseball, that I have just about had enough and that I am (in Scherzer fashion) ‘emptying the tank’ and trying to leave it all on the air in these final weeks
After so many years in the game, Carpenter reflects on the blessing of his career and those who made it possible. “I try to treasure every day at the ballpark, and realize that I’m so lucky to do what I do, and have been for such a long time, that I’ve given my best and maybe it’s time to move on while I still have my fastball. I am so grateful to Mark Lerner and Alan Gottlieb for our meetings over the years, and that they have let me orchestrate these final seasons the way my wife and I desired. I’ve taken many lumps in this career, and for them to let me go out this way is amazing and humbling.”
As he looks ahead to life beyond broadcasting, his focus will shift to family and community involvement. “As I head into the next phase of my life, I want to help people and make a positive impact in my community. My wife Debbie and I have been involved in extensive charity work over the last two decades, we’re very active in our church as it reaches out into the community and we will continue to make that our first priority. Being a grandpa is amazing to my boys James and Ben and I want to be a role model and positive influence on them.”
He also has plans to enjoy more personal pursuits. “Deb has already scheduled four trips for this fall, winter, next spring and summer. I want to be a better golfer, but that’s not going too well. I truly do enjoy getting out and moving around a beautiful green golf course, and I enjoy doing yard work and being outside.”
While stepping away from full-time broadcasting, Carpenter remains open to ongoing connections with the Nationals. “I have chatted with the Nationals about extending the relationship beyond this year and I don’t know how that will look, but I’m open to visiting DC frequently and being around the ballpark. If that involves announcing some games, it'll be great, but I’m good whether or not that happens.”
He left fans with a heartfelt sign-off that echoes his enduring passion for the game and the team: “I hope this isn’t goodbye, but maybe just ‘See … You … Later!’”