TORONTO — Summer just wouldn’t be the same without legendary Yankees radio personality John Sterling. The Bronx baseball legend has been around for more than 30 years.
The Yankees announced Monday that Sterling has retired effective immediately. Sterling, 85, will receive the award Saturday during a pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium. He is scheduled to visitWFAN during tonight’s game against the Rays.
“I’m a very generous person,” Sterling said in a story. “I was able to do what I wanted to broadcast for 64 years. As a kid growing up in New York as a Yankees fan, I was able to broadcast the Yankees for 36 years. All these things pleased me, and I was very happy. “I’m looking forward to seeing everybody again on Saturday,” said Sterling, who has appeared in 5,420Yankees games this season and 211 last season. Sent a message. For generations of fans since they joined the club in 1989.
“There’s nothing like it. “it’s impossible.“ said his radio partner Suzyn Waldman. “Life goes on, we all go on, but nothing is the same... Everything is unique to that person. He’s one of a kind.
“There will never be another person like that, to have that kind of love for a team and that kind of love for his fan base. I hope Saturday that everybody shows him that. I hope people understand that he lived a dream that none of us really get to do.
Known for his gyrating “Sterling Shake” victory call (“Yankees win … theeeeee Yankees win!”), humorous phrases tacked onto play-by-play action (“Back to back, and a belly to belly!”) and personalized home run calls (“Bern Baby Bern!”), Sterling called 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 to July 2019 — every at-bat of Derek Jeter’s career, every inning of Mariano Rivera’s and more.
Yankees captain Aaron Judge said on Monday that he was saddened to learn of Sterling’s retirement, noting that the radio broadcasts are a nightly must-listen for his parents, Patty and Wayne.
“My parents listen to the radio, and love Suzyn and John going back and forth,” Judge said. “Even going back to listening to some historic homers or big moments in Yankees history, hearing John there — he’s going to be missed.
In the visiting dugout at Rogers Centre, Yankees manager Aaron Boone beamed as he recounted Sterling’s mannerisms, excitedly mimicking the early part of a home run call: “THERE it goes to deep left!”
I’m bummed out about it; sad about it,” Boone said. “But I certainly just want him to be in a good spot and healthy moving forward. I know this is the best and the best time for John. He stayed with the Yankees and became a voice for generations. I follow my routine several times a day. We will miss him and look forward to celebrating this weekend.
