John Sterling, the Yankees’ Most Enduring Announcer, Dies at 87
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- John Sterling, the iconic radio play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees for over 35 years, passed away at age 87 due to complications following a heart attack.
- Sterling called more Yankees games than any announcer in history, including 5,420 regular season games and 211 postseason games, starting his tenure in 1989.
- Known for his distinctive and colorful home run calls, such as “an A-bomb for A-Rod!” and “Robbie Canó, dontcha know!”, Sterling became a beloved yet sometimes polarizing figure among fans.
- Despite working exclusively on radio, he was known for his formal attire and passionate, often exuberant delivery, especially his signature home run call: “That ball is high, it is far, it is gone!”
- Sterling retired abruptly early in the 2024 season, citing a lack of stamina to continue broadcasting.
