After a legendary 36-year career as the New York Yankees’ play-by-play announcer, John Sterling, one of MLB’s most beloved voices, has announced his retirement.
The 85-year-old Sterling’s retirement was made official by the New York Yankees on Monday, marking the end of an era in the baseball club’s broadcast booth.
The Yankees will pay tribute to Sterling in a special ceremony at Yankee Stadium ahead of their Saturday afternoon matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays (1:05 p.m. EST). In a statement shared by Yankees writer Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Sterling expressed his gratitude:
“I am a very blessed human being. I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years. As a little boy growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. It’s all to my benefit, and I leave very, very happy. I look forward to seeing everyone again on Saturday.”
Farewell To A New York Yankees & MLB Legend
Sterling, who will turn 86 on July 4, got his start calling Baltimore Bullets NBA games in 1970-71 before transitioning to announce for various sports teams across New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta. His tenure as the Yankees’ radio play-by-play announcer began in 1989, cementing his place in Yankees history.
Known for his signature catchphrases such as “Ballgame over, Yankees win…theeeee Yankees win!” and “It is high, it is far, it is gone!”, Sterling became a legendary figure in the baseball world.
The retirement of John Sterling marks the end of an era for the New York Yankees and MLB. Fans, whether they love or hate the team, universally admire Sterling for his decades of dedication and passion for the game.
During Sterling’s time with the Yankees, the team achieved remarkable success, winning five World Series championships (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009) and maintaining an impressive record without a single losing season from 1993 to 2023.
For many longtime Yankees fans, Sterling’s name will forever be linked to the franchise’s glory years of the ’90s and 2000s. With over 5,000 games called and countless moments of entertainment provided, John Sterling leaves behind a lasting legacy in the hearts of millions of Yankees fans across the country.
