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John Sterling, Fabled New York Yankees Play-by-Play Announcer, Dies at 87
TL;DR
John Sterling, the iconic New York Yankees play-by-play announcer, passed away at 87 after a long career of over 5,800 games. His death was announced by WFAN, following a heart attack earlier this year.
Key points
- John Sterling died at the age of 87
- He announced over 5,800 Yankees games
- Sterling was a finalist for the Ford C. Frick Award
- He suffered a heart attack in January 2023
- His death was announced by WFAN
Mentioned in this story
John SterlingNew York YankeesWFANEdgewater, New Jersey
(Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
John Sterling, the enthusiastic and eccentric New York Yankees announcer who spent more than three decades calling 5,800-plus games on the radio for the Bronx Bombers, died Monday. He was 87.
A finalist for the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024 and 2025, Sterling had suffered a heart attack in January and was recuperating at his home in Edgewater, New Jersey. His death was announced by the New York radio station WFAN.
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Sterling started doing play-by-play with the Yankees in 1989 and handled 5,060 consecutive radio broadcasts until he missed his first game in July 2019. He also worked more than 200 postseason contests â calling the final out for five World Series championships â through his retirement in 2024, and his most popular line was a thunderous âThuuuhhhh Yankees win.â
âI am a very blessed human being,â Sterling said when he announced his days as a play-by-play man were through. âI 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.â
Born John Sloss on July 4, 1938, Sterling was raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He attended Moravian College, Boston University and Columbia University before landing his first job at a radio station near Buffalo, New York, in 1961.
Q&A
What caused John Sterling's death?
John Sterling died after suffering a heart attack in January and was recuperating at home before his passing.
How long did John Sterling announce for the New York Yankees?
John Sterling spent more than three decades announcing over 5,800 games for the New York Yankees.
What awards was John Sterling nominated for?
John Sterling was a finalist for the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024 and 2025.
Where was John Sterling living at the time of his death?
At the time of his death, John Sterling was living in Edgewater, New Jersey.
