Yankees players make rare gesture during John Serling tribute

The New York Yankees delivered a powerful moment Monday night, honoring legendary broadcaster John Sterling with a rare pregame gesture at Yankee Stadium. Following news of Sterling’s passing earlier in the day, the organization paused to recognize a voice that shaped generations of baseball memories in New York.

The tribute stood out because of how unusual the scene was. Typically, only the starting lineup appears on the field during the national anthem. This time, the entire Yankees roster came out together, signaling a unified show of respect for one of the most recognizable voices in franchise history.

The ceremony also included Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman, two broadcasters closely tied to Sterling’s legacy and the Yankees booth. Their presence helped connect the team’s past and present during an emotional moment before the game against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner shared the scene on X, formerly Twitter, capturing both the significance of the tribute and the reaction at Yankee Stadium.

“The Yankees just had a long moment of silence for John Sterling. Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman laid bouquets of flowers at home plate. The entire team is also out for the anthem, which does not happen ever”