John Sterling, the legendary New York Yankees broadcaster whose iconic victory call resonated with generations of baseball fans, has died at the age of 87. His death was announced by radio station WFAN on Monday.
Sterling, who became the voice of the Yankees over 36 seasons, had undergone heart bypass surgery this winter and was receiving care at his home in Edgewater, New Jersey, according to The Associated Press.
A Storied Career Behind the Microphone
Originally from Manhattan, Sterling began calling Yankees games on radio in 1989 and continued until his retirement in April 2024. He was renowned for his distinctive victory call, "The Yankees win!" with an extra elongated emphasis on "the."
During his tenure, Sterling called 5,420 regular-season games and 211 postseason games. His final broadcast was on April 7, 2024, against the Toronto Blue Jays. Between September 1989 and July 2019, he broadcast 5,060 consecutive games, a remarkable streak of dedication.
In 2024, Sterling came out of retirement to announce Yankees games during the postseason, as reported by Sportsnet.
Memorable Home Run Calls
Sterling was known for his personalized home run calls for each player, which became a summer soundtrack for Yankees fans. Some of his most famous calls include:
- "Hinske with your best shot!" for Eric Hinske
- "All Rise! Here comes the Judge!" for Aaron Judge
- "El Capitan!" for Derek Jeter
- "It's an A-bomb from A-Rod!" for Alex Rodriguez
- "A thrilla from Godzilla!" for Hideki Matsui
These calls, along with many others, were sourced from CBS Sports and the Associated Press.
Partnerships and Recognition
Throughout his career, Sterling shared the announcer's booth with partners including Jay Johnstone, Michael Kay, Charley Steiner, and Suzyn Waldman. In 2016, Waldman and Sterling were inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame, honoring their contributions to sports broadcasting.
The New York Yankees paid tribute on social media, stating: "The Yankees mourn the loss of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Our thoughts are with John's family, friends and loved ones at this time."
Sterling's legacy as the voice of the Yankees will forever be remembered by fans and the baseball community.
