Michael Kay Breaks Down In Tears After John Sterling’s Passing

John Sterling and Michael Kay (Image Credits: Imagn)

Michael Kay Breaks Down In Tears After John Sterling’s Passing

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Cresswell McCoy | Last updated May 5, 2026 5:23 AM ET

The entire MLB world mourned the passing of John Sterling, a former New York Yankees broadcaster. Sterling passed on Monday at the age of 87. The veteran broadcaster was widely popular for his outstanding home run calls.

MLB fans have often considered Sterling as one of the best broadcasters in New York. He had an incredible tone and excitement when it came to doing his job. Sadly, John Sterling passed away in a hospital in New Jersey. Sterling suffered from heart failure, leaving several fans and family members devastated.

YES Network’s Michael Kay, who was Sterling’s friend, broke down in a video after his passing. Kay was visibly upset with his passing. He stated that John Sterling was pushing his rehab to take his daughter down the aisle for her wedding.

“Michael, I have to walk her down the aisle. And that’s why he was hanging on. But he had trouble about a week ago, heart failure, and he finally succumbed today. But he’ll be walking her down as he looks down on his family. The one thing he wanted to do, he was unable to make it,” Michael Kay said.

“The one thing he wanted to do, he was unable to make it.”

Michael Kay got emotional while talking about his friend, and former radio partner, John Sterling. pic.twitter.com/zxRyTaGx5Q
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 4, 2026

“John Sterling, to me, was one of a kind,” Kay continued. “I have never, ever, ever in my life met anyone like him, and I know as long as I live I’ll never meet anyone like him.”

Aaron Boone Still Mimics John Sterling After The Yankees Secure A Win

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was one among many who spoke proudly about Sterling. Boone mentioned that he still mimics Sterling each time the Yanks secure a win.

“My coaches look at me like I’m nuts. I don’t even know if they know what I’m doing,” Boone said. “As soon as that final out is made and I get up to shake players’ hands, I go, ‘Ballgame over, Yankees win, theeee Yankees win! I’ve got goosebumps thinking about it.”

Aaron Boone says he channels John Sterling's iconic "THEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN!" call in the dugout at the end of each Yankees victory:

"My coaches look at me like I'm nuts" pic.twitter.com/50SXDm4mny
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 4, 2026