NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- John Sterling, the legendary broadcaster who defined the sound of Yankees baseball for over three decades, died Monday at 87.
The cause was complications from heart surgery that he underwent after a recent heart attack. He had been attended by health care aides at his home in Edgewater, New Jersey.
Born in NYC, Sterling was a fixture of Yankees games from 1989 until his retirement in 2024, known for his call, "The Yankees win!"
He called 5,631 games over his storied career, including an incredible streak of 5,060 consecutive broadcasts that lasted until 2019, as well as eight World Series appearances.
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.
In a statement, the Yankees said: "John Sterling breathed life and excitement into Yankees games for 36 years while wearing his passion for baseball and the Yankees on his sleeve. He informed and entertained generations of fans with a theatrical and unapologetic style that was uniquely his own."
"John treasured his role as the voice of the New York Yankees," the statement continued, "and his enthusiasm for the art of broadcasting perfectly complemented our city and our fans. The symmetry between John and his audience was both undeniable and magical, and his signature calls will resonate for as long as we put on pinstripes — especially after every Yankees win."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
