John Sterling, the iconic radio voice of the New York Yankees whose signature home run calls and distinctive style defined generations of fans, died at 87, according to WFAN and the team.
“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 station wrote on social media. “Rest in peace, John.”
What You Need To Know
John Sterling, a longtime Yankees radio broadcaster, has died at the age of 87, according to WFAN and the team
He called more than 5,600 games, including a streak of 5,060 consecutive broadcasts
Sterling was known for signature home run calls and decades of Yankees coverage
He retired in 2024 at age 85 after a 64-year broadcasting career
“The Yankees mourn the loss of legendary broadcaster John Sterling. Our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and loved ones at this time,” the team wrote in its own post.
For decades, Yankees fans waited inning after inning to hear if their team had won, often tuning in just to hear Sterling deliver the call. His broadcasts reflected the excitement and disappointment of fans for more than 30 years, first on WABC radio and later on WFAN.
Born John Sloss, Sterling grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and later told The Athletic he changed his surname because it “gave him more shine.”
He began his radio career at just 19 years old at a small station in western New York. By the 1970s, he had become a fixture in New York sports, calling games for local hockey, football and basketball teams. His first connection to the Yankees came in the mid-1970s, hosting pregame shows on WMAS and WINS radio, sometimes alongside broadcasting legend Mel Allen.
Sterling spent much of the 1980s calling games for teams in Atlanta, including the Braves and Hawks, before returning to New York in 1989 to become the radio voice of the Yankees.
“The call was from a producer of WABC,” Sterling previously told NY1. “He said to me, ‘John, question, would you like to do the Yankees?’”
That opportunity marked the start of an extraordinary run, including 5,060 consecutive games called for the Yankees and five World Series championships.
Known for crafting unique home run calls for players, Sterling became one of the most recognizable voices in baseball. Even in tense moments, he maintained a steady, professional presence behind the microphone.
His dedication earned him 12 local Emmy Awards over the course of his career.
Sterling took his first break from the booth at age 81 in 2019, citing illness, and later announced he would reduce his schedule. By 2024, he retired at 85, saying the demands of travel had become too much.
Before stepping away, he reflected on his decades-long career.
“I’ve been on the air for 64 years. I mean, who could have — I mean it’s what I wanted to do. But no, I never could imagine how it all would work out,” he told NY1.
The Yankees honored Sterling during a retirement ceremony at Yankee Stadium, presenting him with a jersey bearing the number 5,631 — marking the total number of games he called for the team he loved.