John Sterling’s 5 most memorable Yankees home run calls

Sterling’s creativity never faded. With Gleyber Torres, he tapped into pop culture, riffing off the State Farm slogan with: “Like a good Gleyber, Torres is there!”

He also added variations like “It’s Gleyber Day!” and “He is the Gleyber of the month!”—showing his ability to keep things fresh even decades into his career.

“An A-Bomb from A-Rod!” — Alex Rodriguez

This might be Sterling’s most recognizable call. Alex Rodriguez hit 361 home runs as a Yankee, and Sterling was there for every single one of them.

“An A-bomb from A-Rod!” wasn’t just a call—it became part of baseball culture. Consistent, powerful, and instantly recognizable, it perfectly matched Rodriguez’s presence in the lineup.

“The Bam-Tino!” — Tino Martinez

Sterling loved a good pun—and Tino Martinez gave him the perfect opportunity. “The Bam-Tino!” played off “The Great Bambino,” tying Yankees history into the present.

Martinez delivered plenty of moments worthy of the call, including his unforgettable grand slam in the 1998 World Series.

The Legacy of a Voice

John Sterling called over 5,000 consecutive games, spanning generations of Yankees baseball. But more than the numbers, it was his personality that stood out. He made the game fun. He made moments bigger.

And he gave fans something to smile about every time the ball left the yard. Home runs come and go. But calls like these? They last forever. And thanks to John Sterling, Yankees fans will always hear those moments, not just see them.

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