John Sterling, the radio play-by-play voice of the New York Yankees for over three decades, has died.
“Sterling had undergone heart bypass surgery this winter and was attended by health care aides at his home in Edgewater, New Jersey, after the procedure,” ESPN reports.
The Yankees stated: “We mourn the loss of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and loved ones at this time.”
Sterling called 5,420 regular-season games and 211 postseason games when he retired in April 2024 just after the season’s start. He broadcast 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 through July 2019 after beginning with the Yankees as a pregame host. Sterling returned to call Yankees games during the 2024 postseason.
The team added in a statement: “John Sterling breathed life and excitement into Yankees games for 36 years while wearing his passion for baseball and the Yankees on his sleeve. He informed and entertained generations of fans with a theatrical and unapologetic style that was uniquely his own.”
Sterling was on the air for 24 Yankees postseason trips, seven World Series appearances and five World Series titles. He was known for augmenting his signature home run call — “That ball is high, it is far, it is gone!” — with tailored phrases for players such as:
– “It’s a Judgian blast!” for Aaron Judge
– “Bernie goes boom!” for Bernie Williams
– “Yes, in-Didi — Didi Gregorius makes Yankee fans euphorious!” for Didi Gregorius
– “Gio Urshela, ‘The Most Happy Fella!’” for Gio Urshela
– “And like a good Gleyber, Torres is there!” for Gleyber Torres
– “A thrilla from Godzilla!” for Hideki Matsui
Sterling was polarizing for his mistakes, including misjudging fly balls as home runs and losing sight of balls hit into outfields. Yet he remained beloved by Yankees fans for his unapologetic enthusiasm — often quivering in his seat, waving arms overhead and shouting: “Ballgame over! The Yankees win! Thuuuuuuuuh Yankees win!”
The Yankees honored him: “THUUUUUGH YANKEES WIN! The incredible voice all Yankees fans will cherish forever and never forget. RIP to the great John Sterling.”