Longtime Yankees Announcer John Sterling Dead at 87

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Longtime Yankees Announcer John Sterling Dead at 87

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated May 4, 2026 10:35 AM ET

Legendary New York Yankees announcer John Sterling has died on Monday, May 4. He was 87 years old.

Major League Baseball announced the sad news on Monday morning.

"We are saddened by the passing of former New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling. Through his unique style and passionate play-by-play calls, Sterling endeared himself to generations of players and fans as radio voice of the Yankees from 1989 to 2024. His signature punctuation of Yankees victories included calling the final out of five World Series championships," the league announced.

"Sterling’s seven-decade broadcasting career also included stints with the Atlanta Braves and Hawks, the New York Nets and Islanders, and the Baltimore Bullets. He was 87 years old."

The Yankees released a brief statement on his death on Monday morning.

"The Yankees mourn the loss of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and loved ones at this time," they wrote.

The Yankees mourn the loss of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and loved ones at this time. pic.twitter.com/1rCeRC1D61
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 4, 2026

Sterling had an iconic career

Sterling joined the Yankees' broadcast team in 1989. He called 5,420 regular-season games and 211 postseason games before retiring in April 2024.

Sterling was in the booth for 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 to July 2019, before missing a series due to illness.

New York's radio station, WFAN, released a statement, too.

"We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom," WFAN said in a statement.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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