John Sterling, the legendary broadcaster known for his vivid narration of New York Yankees games, has announced his immediate retirement, as confirmed by the team on Monday.
Sterling, aged 85, has been a fixture in the Yankees’ broadcasting booth since 1989, calling an impressive total of 5,420 regular-season games and 211 playoff games.
In recent years, he has scaled back his responsibilities and traveled less frequently, citing health concerns. This year marked his 36th season with the Yankees, during which he celebrated his 20th year alongside his co-commentator, Suzyn Waldman.
Reflecting on his career, Sterling expressed profound gratitude, noting, “I am a very blessed human being. I’ve spent 64 years in broadcasting, fulfilling my childhood dream of covering the Yankees, my favorite team growing up in New York. I leave feeling extremely happy and fortunate.”
Sterling’s voice has remained constant throughout 24 postseason runs, seven World Series appearances, and five championships. He is particularly beloved for his personalized home run calls and trademark sign-off after Yankees victories.
Notably, from September 1989 until July 2019, Sterling did not miss a single game, broadcasting 5,060 consecutive games until health issues forced him to step away briefly.
John Sterling’s last call was during the Yankees’ 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 7. The Yankees plan to honor Sterling with a pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium this Saturday, followed by a special appearance in the radio booth during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, providing fans a chance to celebrate his remarkable career.
More must-reads: