The legendary John Sterling is calling it a career, effective immediately, and joined Evan and Tiki on Monday afternoon to talk about the decision to put down the headset after an iconic run in the Yankees broadcast booth.
“I just don’t want to do any more work,” John said. “I’ve worked for 64 years, and in July I’ll be 86. Let’s face it, my time has come.”
Sterling’s run calling Yankee games began in 1989, and from September of that year to July of 2019, he never missed a game. Sterling has helped call five World Series titles and seven pennants, Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit, and many more unforgettable moments. All in all, he called 5,420 regular season games and 211 playoff games, and while he told Evan and Tiki that he believes 2024 could very well be a special season for the Yankees, he knew it was time to call it a career.
“It wasn’t hard at all. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time,” John said about the decision to retire. “I know the life I want to lead. I just lived it from October to the end of March.
“As I told my kids…now we can have dinner any time.”
Sterling will be honored at Yankee Stadium on April 20 before their game against the Rays, and he will join the WFAN broadcast booth that afternoon. After that, he will say goodbye, but he will never stop watching the Bronx Bombers, even if it is from home instead of the booth above the field at Yankee Stadium.
“I’m the greatest sports fan in history,” John said. “I’ve got TVs all over the joint…I’m gonna watch and listen to 162 Yankee games.”