Yankees broadcasting icon John Sterling dies at 87
John Sterling, the iconic and theatrical radio voice of the New York Yankees , whose extravagant and individualized home run calls became legendary, has died at the age of 87. The team and radio station WFAN confirmed his passing on Monday. Sterling's death occurred at a New Jersey hospital, following heart bypass surgery he underwent this past winter.
He had been receiving care from healthcare aides at his Edgewater, New Jersey, residence after the procedure. His remarkable career saw him call 5,631 games for the Yankees, encompassing 5,420 regular season and 211 postseason contests. Sterling, who began as a pregame host, famously broadcast 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 through July 2019.
He retired in April 2024, citing fatigue, shortly after the season's start, though he briefly returned to the booth for the 2024 postseason. His remarkable career saw him call 5,631 games for the Yankees (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) Sterling's call for a player’s home run became as treasured a part of a Yankees identity as an initial set of pinstripes or a championship ring. As rookies prepared for debuts and former opponents arrived in trades, fans speculated how he would label the newcomer's first longball.
From “Bernie goes boom! Bern, baby, Bern! ” for Bernie Williams, to “It’s a Jeter jolt!
” for Derek to “It’s an A-bomb from A-Rod! ” for Alex Rodriguez, “The Giambino! ” for Jason Giambi and ”A thrilla from Godzilla!