Aaron Judge will miss wondering what home run calls John Sterling will make for Yankees teammates
Tributes to John Sterling poured in on Monday after the radio voice of the Yankees announced his retirement, and the Yankee captain was among the most notable to celebrate the iconic career Sterling had with the Yanks, beginning back in 1989.
“I was saddened. What John has meant to Yankee baseball all around the country, and to broadcasting, it’s tough to put into words,” Aaron Judge said before Monday’s game against the Blue Jays. “My parents listen to the radio, they love listening to Suzyn and John going back and forth. Even going back and listening to some historic homers and big moments in Yankees history and hearing John there, he’s gonna be missed.”
Judge said he and his Yankee teammates always talked about Sterling’s memorable home run calls, especially when a new player would put on the pinstripes, and the anticipation began for what Sterline would come up with if that new player hit a home run. Without that, things won’t be the same.
“He was so witty, smart. The home runs calls he comes up with,” Judge said. “We’ll be sitting on the bus whenever we trade for someone new or somebody’s first game, we always go back and forth like ‘What is John gonna come up this time? What’s he gonna use? Is he gonna go last name or first name?’ He always outsmarts us and comes up with something great that the fans love, and we love listening to it.
“John is a big part of this family, and we’re gonna miss him.”
