Yankees radio icon John Sterling dead at 87

Published: Monday, May 4, 2026 at 12:20 pm

Yankees Radio Legend John Sterling Passes Away at 87

New York City is mourning the loss of John Sterling, the iconic voice of the New York Yankees, who died on Monday at the age of 87. WFAN Sports Radio, Sterling's longtime broadcast home, announced the news, expressing deep sorrow over the passing of a figure synonymous with generations of Yankee fans.

Sterling retired from broadcasting in April 2024, concluding a remarkable 64-year career. He had suffered a heart attack in January but was reportedly in good spirits.

Sterling's tenure with the Yankees began in 1989, and his distinctive calls became a staple of the team's broadcasts. His signature home run call, "It is high, it is far, it is gone!" was followed by personalized phrases for individual players, such as "Its an A-bomb from A-Rod" for Alex Rodriguez and "Here comes the Judge!" for Aaron Judge. He was present for multiple World Series titles.

Before his time with the Yankees, Sterling's career included play-by-play roles for the NBA's Baltimore Bullets, the World Hockey Association's New York Stars, the New York Islanders, and the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. He also spent years broadcasting in Atlanta before returning to New York. Sterling was known for his dedication, calling over 5,000 consecutive Yankees games from 1989 until July 4-7, 2019. He transitioned to a reduced schedule in 2022 before his full retirement.

The sports world has widely expressed its condolences on social media, recognizing Sterling's significant impact on the game and the fans.

BNN's Perspective: John Sterling's passing marks the end of an era for Yankees fans. His unique style and unwavering commitment to the team created a lasting connection with listeners. While the game will move forward, his voice and the memories he created will endure.

Keywords: John Sterling, Yankees, radio, broadcasting, sports, announcer, New York, WFAN, retirement, death, obituary, MLB, baseball, home run call, Aaron Judge, Alex Rodriguez

Full Story