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Yankees Mourn Passing of Long Time Voice, John Sterling

For more than three decades New York Yankees fans had grown accustomed to hearing the baritone pipes of long time radio broadcaster John Sterling, who turned the phrase "Yankees Win! DAAAAAAA Yankees Win!" into one of the most recognized calls around the world.  

Sterling, who stepped away from the microphone in April of 2024, passed away Sunday night. He was 87. 

Sterling had the call of 5,420 regular season and 211 postseason games as Yankees broadcaster, and even called 5,600 consecutive games from September 1989 through July of 2019. He was the voice of an entire generation of Yankees fans, who grew accustomed to both his wild sense of humor and keen professionalism. 

 Whether it be coining catching home run calls for various players like Bernie Williams and Hideki Matsui, to sometimes, even misjudging plays in hilarious fashion, or capturing the essence of total victory in October, Sterling had a front row seat to some of the greatest Yankees' teams of all time. 

He, along with Michael Kay and Susan Waldman were on the call for seven Yankees World Series trips, including five championships (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009). 

Sterling's voice is chronicled through entire careers of so many Yankees legends including Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and many more. 

When he retired in 2024 a void was created on the Yankees airwaves, as his deep, resonating and even boisterous pipes were missed. 

 


A 12-time Emmy Sports Award winner, Sterling began his broadcasting career at WMCA in 1971, later becoming the voice of a number of teams including the New Jersey Nets and New York Islanders where he catch-phrased two very simple words: "Islanders Goal!"

 However it was not until 1982 that Sterling got his first shot at the Majors as the voice of the Atlanta Braves, a position he held until 1987. He was also the voice of the Atlanta Hawks from 1981-89.  Take a listen to any Braves broadcast from that era, and it can be a bit jarring for the unwashed to hear Sterling on the call. Yes, it's him. 

The Yankees wrap up a series tonight against the Baltimore Orioles at Sterling's favorite place: Yankees Stadium in the Bronx. There is sure to be plenty of coverage tonight on the YES Network.  

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