John Sterling, legendary radio voice of the New York Yankees, dies at 87

The legendary radio voice of the New York Yankees, John Sterling, has died.

Sterling, who was 87, had undergone heart bypass surgery this winter and, after the procedure, was attended by health care aides at his home in Edgewater, New Jersey.

He had called 5,420 regular-season games plus 211 postseason games when he retired in April 2024, just after the season's start. Sterling broadcast 5,060 consecutive games from September 1989 through July 2019 after beginning with the Yankees as a pregame host. He came out of retirement to call Yankees games during the 2024 postseason.

Sterling's call for a player's home run became as treasured a part of a Yankees identity as an initial set of pinstripes or a championship ring. As rookies prepared for debuts and former opponents arrived in trades, fans speculated how he would label the newcomer's first longball.

From "Bernie goes boom! Bern, baby, Bern!" for Bernie Williams, to "It's a Jeter jolt!" for Derek to "It's an A-bomb from A-Rod!" for Alex Rodriguez, "The Giambino!" for Jason Giambi and "A thrilla from Godzilla!" for Hideki Matsui, Sterling created personal stamps resonating from the clubhouse to the bleachers.

He had called Yankees games for 36 years before his retirement. In all, he called 5,420 regular season Yankees games and 211 postseason Yankees games.

"I am a very blessed human being. I have been able to do what I wanted, broadcasting for 64 years," Sterling said when he retired. "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."