John Sterling, the iconic voice of the New York Yankees for over three decades, has put down his microphone. The Yankees made the official announcement of his retirement on Monday, effectively marking the end of an era in the team’s broadcasting history. To commemorate his remarkable career, a special pre-game ceremony is planned for Saturday.
John Sterling’s infectious enthusiasm and creative flair for home run calls were a hallmark of his tenure. His signature introduction, “It is high! It is far! It is gone!” was just the beginning. He captivated fans with personalized taglines for each Yankee slugger, making their home runs even more memorable.
Here’s a look back at John Sterling’s 11 most popular and enduring home run calls from the Yankees booth.
Bernie Williams: ‘Bern, baby, Bern!’
““Bernie goes boom! Bern baby Bern!” This call transcended the game itself, becoming an iconic rallying cry for Yankee fans. Its legacy was cemented in Game 4 of the 2001 ALCS, when Williams‘ home run blast, immortalized by John Sterling’s call, evened the score against the Mariners in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Hideki Matsui: ‘Thrilla! By Godzilla’
John Sterling’s call for Hideki Matsui, a formidable hitter nicknamed “Godzilla,” channeled the legendary boxing match, the “Thrilla in Manila” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Whenever Matsui launched a home run, John Sterling would electrify the airwaves with, “A thrilla from Godzilla!”
These calls, among others, have become synonymous with John Sterling’s broadcasting style and will forever be cherished by Yankees fans as part of the team’s rich history.
Robinson Cano: ‘Don’t ‘cha know?’
“Robby Cano – dontcha know!” shows the sportscaster’s love for wordplay shone through in this call for Cano, who launched a staggering 204 home runs during his stint with the Yankees between 2005 and 2013. John Sterling called them all.
Giancarlo Stanton: ‘You cannot be stopped’
“Giancarlo, non si può de stopparlo!” is translated loosely from Italian, the phrase means, “Giancarlo, you cannot be stopped!” It looks like Sterling forcing fans to scramble for foreign language learning.
Gleyber Torres: ‘It’s Gleyber day’
Gleyber Torres, a versatile infielder for the Yankees, earned a call that referenced a well-known insurance company slogan. John Sterling would declare, “It’s Gleyber Day! And like a good Gleyber, Torres is there!” adding a touch of humor to Torres’ clutch home runs.
Jorge Posada: ‘Juiced one’
Yankee fans adored Jorge Posada, who played his entire 17-year career with the team. When Posada connected for a home run, John Sterling would electrify the airwaves with, “Jorgie juiced one!”
Mark Teixeira: ‘Sent a Tex message’
When Mark Teixeira unleashed a long ball, Sterling would declare, “He sent a Tex message!” This call cleverly played on Teixeira’s last name and the growing popularity of text messaging at that time.
Alex Rodriguez: ‘A-bomb from A-Rod’
For Alex Rodriguez, a prolific hitter who donned the pinstripes from 2004 to 2016, John Sterling opted for the dramatic: “An A-bomb from A-Rod!” This call perfectly captured Rodriguez’s power and impact at the plate.
John Sterling on Aaron Judge: ‘All Rise’
One of the most prolific hitters in recent Yankee history, Aaron Judge has provided John Sterling with ample opportunities to showcase his creativity. For Judge’s home runs, he adopted a majestic approach, booming, “All rise! Here comes the Judge!” perfectly capturing the awe-inspiring nature of Judge’s mammoth blasts.
Gio Urshela: ‘Most happy fella’
John Sterling wasn’t just reserved for the superstars. Gio Urshela, a utility infielder who brought energy and hustle to the team, received his own personalized call that incorporated a touch of musical flair. “Gio Urshela, the most happy fella,” he would announce, followed by him singing the “most happy fella” part.
Jason Giambi: ‘The Giambino’
Jason Giambi, known for his power-hitting, earned a call that paid homage to a legend. Sterling fondly referred to Giambi as the “Giambino,” a clear nod to Babe Ruth, the iconic “Great Bambino” of the Yankees.
Which was his best call? Leave your comment below.
All Yankee fans will deeply miss John Sterling’s wonderfully poetic & witty Home Run calls.
So many of his calls were so wonderfully charming & memorable that it’s impossible to pick out just one all-time favorite. And no matter how many times he said, you always moved closer to the edge of your seat when you heard Sterling say: “It is high! It is far! It is GONE!”
And there were few things better for Yankee fans than to get in their car & hear Sterling’s powerful voice holler, “The Yankees WIIIIIIN!!!”
You & your wonderful calls will be sorely missed by Yankee fans everywhere, Mr. Sterling.
I probably speak for millions of Yankee fans in wishing you a Very Happy, Healthy, & Long Retirement, filled with joy & love, Mr. Sterling.
Thank you for the memories, John Sterling.