John Sterling Dies: Longtime Radio Voice Of New York Yankees Was 87

John Sterling, nan power sound of nan New York Yankees complete 36 seasons, died today, May 4, astatine his location successful Edgewater, New Jersey, of complications pursuing a bosom attack. He was 87.

His decease was announced by nan New York Yankees. “The Yankees mourn nan nonaccomplishment of legendary broadcaster John Sterling,” nan statement said connected societal media. “Our thoughts are pinch John’s family, friends and loved ones astatine this time.”

Sterling had undergone bosom bypass room successful caller months and was nether wellness attraction astatine his location astatine nan clip of his passing.

According to ESPN, Sterling had called 5,420 regular-season games and 211 postseason games erstwhile he retired successful April 2024. He broadcast 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 done July 2019 aft opening pinch nan Yankees arsenic a pregame host. He came retired of status to telephone Yankees games during nan 2024 postseason.

For Yankees fans, a squad triumph was incomplete pinch Sterling’s trademark “The Yankees win! Thuuuuuuuuh Yankees win!” bellow. Major League Baseball said successful a connection today, “Through his unsocial style and passionate play-by-play calls, Sterling endeared himself to generations of players and fans arsenic power sound of nan Yankees from 1989 to 2024. His signature punctuation of Yankees victories included calling nan last retired of 5 World Series championships.”

“We are devastated to perceive astir nan passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees power icon whose sound was synonymous pinch an full procreation of Yankee fandom,” WFAN, New York sports power station, said successful a connection today.

Known for his colorful characterizations of Yankee players – “It’s a Jeter jolt!” for Derek Jeter and “It’s an A-bomb from A-Rod!” for Alex Rodriguez – Sterling was calved John Sloss successful Manhattan connected July 4, 1938. At 19 he landed a occupation on-air astatine a mini power position adjacent Buffalo, changing his sanction to Sterling. He moved astir to various different stations complete nan adjacent decades earlier landing astatine New York’s WABC successful 1989.

In 2013, nan Yankees announced a move to WFAN, pinch Sterling and co-announced Suzyn Waldman making nan move. The 2 would activity side-by-side for Sterling’s last 20 seasons.

He is survived by 4 children: triplets Bradford, Derek and Veronica, and girl Abigail.