John Sterling, the booming and theatrical radio voice of the New York Yankees whose personalized home runs became part of the team’s identity, has died at 87.
The Yankees and WFAN announced his death Monday.
Sterling, who underwent heart bypass surgery earlier this year, was treated at his home in Edgewater, New Jersey.
His career spanned decades, culminating with 36 seasons behind the Yankees microphone.
He retired in April 2024 after calling 5,420 regular season games and 211 postseason games, including a streak of 5,060 consecutive broadcasts from 1989 to 2019.
He returned briefly this fall to call the Yankees in the postseason.
His exuberant style has made him a staple of baseball culture.
Fans eagerly awaited his home run nicknames: “Bern, baby, Bern!” » for Bernie Williams, “It’s a jerk from Jeter!” for Derek Jeter, “It’s an A bomb from A Rod!” for Alex Rodriguez, “The Giambino! for Jason Giambi, and “A Godzilla Thrilla!” » for Hideki Matsui.
Each call became a badge of honor for the players and a source of delight for the Yankee Stadium crowds.
Sterling’s voice carried five Yankees championships and seven American League pennants.
He was known as much for his eccentric personality, quoting tunes from Broadway shows, Sinatra standards and soap operas, as for his pinstripe dedication.
“The game’s over. The Yankees win. Thuuuuugh, the Yankees win,” Sterling yelled after victories, a refrain that has become inseparable from the team’s modern era.
Although critics have sometimes questioned the accuracy of his remarks, Sterling has dismissed his detractors with his trademark confidence.
“There will always be people who don’t like what you do. It’s like any art form,” he once said.
