John Sterling, the legendary former voice of the New York Yankees, has died at the age of 87, it has been announced.
The iconic New York City sports radio host, who provided play-by-play commentary for 5,631 regular-season and postseason Yankees games, retired in 2024 after 36 years covering the team.
Sterling, a member of the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame, even held a streak of calling 5,060 consecutive Yankees games. That run came to an end in July 2019, when he fell ill and missed three games.
Back in February, he sparked fears for his health when it was revealed he had suffered a heart attack the month prior.
Four months on from that major health scare, New York sports radio WFAN has announced Sterling’s tragic death.
‘We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom,’ the radio station posted on X on Monday morning. ‘Rest in peace, John’.
John Sterling, the legendary former voice of the New York Yankees , has died at the age of 87
Tributes have poured in for Sterling on social media following that devastating announcement.
‘As a Yankee fan that grew up listening to John Sterling my entire life, this one stings,’ one fan said. ‘RIP to a legend.’
‘Yankee fan or not this guy was loved by everyone,’ another posted. ‘RIP to a core part of my childhood. John sterling you were a legend’.
A third put: ‘As sad as a day as it’s going to get for Yankees fans with the passing of John Sterling. The voice of so many summers, a true character and part of the team’s fabric. RIP to a true New York legend.’
