Courtesy Boston Herald

(January 9, 2009) Legendary WBZ radio morning sports anchor Gil Santos - the longtime voice of the New England Patriots [team stats] - plans to retire from the news station at the end of this month, sources told the Herald.

Santos joined WBZ-AM (1030) in 1966 as the announcer for the Patriots and Boston College football, and he became a full-time morning BZ sportscaster in 1971.

It’s unclear whether Santos’ retirement means he will step down as the play-by-play announcer for the Patriots, whose games are broadcast on CBS sister station WBCN [website]-FM (104.1). He has been with the Pats for 32 seasons.

Santos told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in November that he planned to do play-by-play for the team at least through next season.

Reached at home earlier today, Santos, 70, referred inquires to WBZ station manager Ted Jordan.

Jordan said it’s not his policy to comment on the contracts of the people who work for him.

WBZ news director Peter Casey also declined comment.

Santos is the latest on-air personality to exit the news station. Overnight talk show host Steve LeVeille, weekend host Lovett Dyett and sports anchor Tom Cuddy were laid off last week.