John Sterling, the legendary former voice of the New York Yankees, has died at the age of 87, it has been announced.
The iconic New York City sports radio host, who provided play-by-play commentary for 5,631 regular-season and postseason Yankees games, spent 36 years covering the team before retiring in 2024.
Sterling, a member of the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame, even held a streak of calling 5,060 consecutive Yankees games. That run came to an end in July 2019, when he fell ill and missed three games.
Back in February, he sparked fears for his health when it was revealed he had suffered a heart attack the month prior.
Four months on from that major health scare, New York sports radio WFAN has announced Sterling’s tragic death.
‘We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom,’ the radio station posted on X on Monday morning. ‘Rest in peace, John’.
John Sterling, the legendary former voice of the New York Yankees, has died at the age of 87
Sterling spent 36 years covering the Yankees before retiring from commentary in 2024
The Yankees then posted shortly after: ‘The Yankees mourn the loss of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and loved ones at this time.’
Tributes have poured in for Sterling on social media following the devastating announcement.
‘As a Yankee fan that grew up listening to John Sterling my entire life, this one stings,’ one fan said. ‘RIP to a legend.’
‘Yankee fan or not this guy was loved by everyone,’ another posted. ‘RIP to a core part of my childhood. John sterling you were a legend’.
A third put: ‘As sad as a day as it’s going to get for Yankees fans with the passing of John Sterling. The voice of so many summers, a true character and part of the team’s fabric. RIP to a true New York legend.’
While another wrote: ‘The man could paint you a picture with his words. John Sterling will live on in Yankees lore forever.’
New York Senator Chuck Schumer also shared his own tribute to Sterling, posting on X: ‘Very sad to hear of the passing of John Sterling, the voice of the Yankees from the late 80s, the 90s dynasty, all the way through 2024. He was the voice of summer for millions of Yankees fans. May John’s memory be a blessing.’
After his heart attack at the start of the year, a month later Sterling said he was on the mend thanks to the help of his four children, having spent a lot of his recovery with his feet up watching the Winter Olympics.
The legendary radio host was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame
‘I’m kind of waiting for the force to leave my legs and I can get back out there,’ he told WFAN Radio. ‘I’m very fortunate, and all things are good.’
‘I couldn’t have done it without them,’ he added referring to his children. ‘They have been sensational in taking care of me.’
Known for his signature ‘The Yankees win!’ victory call, Sterling joined the team’s broadcast in 1989 and went on to cover five world championship and seven American League wins, with generations of fans growing up listening to him behind the mic.
He did not miss a game for 30 years until a health issue forced him to skip a handful of contests in 2019, bringing an end to his remarkable streak of 5,060 straight games.
Sterling also formed a legendary partnership in the booth with longtime sidekick Suzyn Waldman, who still calls games for WFAN. The pair worked together for 20 years before his retirement two years ago.
