John Sterling, the longtime radio and television voice of the New York Yankees, has died at the age of 87, WFAN radio announced on Monday, May 4.
For 35 full seasons, Sterling teamed with Michael Kay and then Suzyn Waldman in the broadcast booth, calling the team’s run of four World Series championships in five years between 1996 and 2000, ending each victory with what became his signature call: “YANKEES WIN! THAAAAAAAA YANKEES WIN!”
Sterling was also a fan favorite for his signature home run calls. They frequently began with, “It is high. It is far. It is GONE!” Then he would follow with a personalized version for each Yankees player.
Aaron Judge: “A Judgian blast!” or “All rise, here comes the Judge!”
Hideki Matsui: “A thrilla from Godzilla!”
Longtime Yankee announcer John Sterling is honored during a pregame ceremony in recognition of his retirement before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 20, 2024.
Sterling first came to New York in 1989, after serving on the broadcast teams for the Atlanta Braves and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.
While he was widely known for his work on national telecasts and on TBS, he became an institution with the Yankees. At one point he called 5,060 consecutive games.
APPRECIATION: John Sterling steps down as Voice of the Yankees
As his health began to decline, Sterling retired from his broadcasting role on April 15. 2024.
However, he briefly came out of retirement to call the Yankees’ 2024 postseason run.
In total, he called 24 Yankees postseason trips, seven World Series appearances and five World Series titles.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Sterling, longtime New York Yankees play-by-play man, dies at 87
